On October 9th 1966, Troy Lynn Ward was born. He was the 4th of five children born to Samuel and Ethel Ward. "Beanie" - as he was affectionately called by his family - was a happy child always laughing and smiling. Even at an early age, at get-togethers with the Collins, Jones and Wilson families: Troy was the life of the party…at least until his bedtime.

Troy attended Lehman High School in the Bronx, where he was given the name "Bat mite" or "Bat" for short by Darry Guydon, a friend until this day. Troy and his friend since elementary school, Lamont Blackwood, were inseparable. It was at Lehman that Troy established another trait he became well known for: hard work. He was part of the CO OP program, a program in which you alternated weekly between a part time job and attending school. In order to stay in that program he had to maintain Honor Roll grades; which Troy did with no problem. Troy graduated from Lehman in 1984 and then spent a year at John Jay College studying Criminal Justice.

That hard work carried over in his secular life as well. For as long as his friends and family can remember Troy worked 2 jobs at the same time. After John Jay he was a Manufactures Rep for Car Stereo and a toll collector on the Whitestone Bridge; he worked corporate jobs in law firms such as LLL&M and Summit Rovens until 1988 when Troy began working for the Metropolitan Transit Authority as a bus operator. In true friend form, whenever Troy would leave a job he would recommend one of his friends for the position. Because of his great personality and work ethic his friends would usually land the job as his friend Askia Farrell could attest. Troy’s younger brother Givon, aka Skeeter, as well as his friend Karlton Hamberry would follow in Troy’s footsteps by becoming bus drivers as well.

During his almost 27 year career at the MTA, Troy also worked for the US Postal Service as a truck driver, and a brief stint as a driver for Access A Ride. While doing all this he still found time to spend quality time with family, taking the boys to basketball, track and football practice. He also coached boys’ football on the weekends with the Malverne Wildcats Football Organization. Yes, Troy was a hard worker.

Troy also loved to cook, knew his way around the kitchen and was a formidable host. When the fellas got together "Butter Head" (another one of his nick names) would often be in the kitchen whipping up something with his trademark Heineken in hand and a big smile on his face. He loved grapes - and would eat them even until they betrayed his stomach – and keep the mayonnaise away from him! He liked to sing and had a nice voice but didn't know the words to any songs - even his favorites - so he would make them up as he went along. He loved to dance - especially to House music - but the party really didn't start until Troy stripped down to his undershirt, found the biggest girl in the room, picked her up and twirled her around gracefully: Troy was the life of the party.

Troy, Beanie, Bat or Butterhead, no matter what name you called him by, he always answered with a smile and a positive word. He always lifted your spirits and you always walked away thinking "that was a good dude". He will be sorely missed and will be forever loved.

In addition to his wife Katrina and sons Isaiah, Troy (TJ) and Chance. Troy is survived by his Mother Ethel Hammond and her husband Ray Hammond, 2 older brothers John and Sam Ward, Sam's wife Thomasina, an older sister Sandra Blakney and her husband Anthony and a younger brother Givon (Skeeter) and his wife Yadira. He has 5 nephews Jordan, Jonathan, Jared, Steven and Shayquan, and 1 great nephew Lundon. He was also uncle to 2 nieces Tyisha and Alexis and 4 great nieces, Tayvion,Tyra, Tai'lah and Trazelle, also a Goddaughter Endia.

There are a host of close friends and extended family too numerous to list by name but always touched by his love.

REST IN PEACE TROY LYNN WARD!!!

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