Michael J. Ward

Michael J. Ward, age 73, passed away on March 17, 2026, in Montrose, Colorado.

Born on December 4, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois, Michael was the son of the late Robert Ward and Yvonne Partipilo.

While obtaining his high school diploma from Loyola Academy in Wilmette, he was a proud member of the marching band as a tubist. After high school, Michael moved out west to Fort Collins, Colorado, where he attended Colorado State University. In 1973, during a ski trip to Telluride in his VW van, Michael found the place he would call home, and he never left.

Shortly after arriving in Telluride, he landed his first gig as a bartender at the Sheridan. Around the same time, he tried his hand at carpentry, building several friends' houses as well as his own home on the east end, where he raised his family. At that point, he decided that manual labor wasn't his shtick and thought he’d try his hand at selling houses instead of building them. Turns out, he was a pretty darn good salesman. Michael went on to have a successful 40+ year career as a realtor.

A devoted father, Michael raised all four of his children in Telluride, instilling in them an appreciation for family, hard work, and a love for the outdoors. After a long and fulfilling career, Michael spent the last three years of his life in Kauai, Hawaii, where he was able to live out his dream of retirement, spending his days golfing, enjoying the beach, and living the island life.

Throughout his life, Michael was an avid golfer and skier, and he enjoyed hunting and fishing in the mountains surrounding Telluride. Whether he was helping coach back-to-back U19 Girls Hockey State Championships, leaving it all on the stage as a member of the Telluride Choral Society, or serving for countless years as a member of the Parks & Recreation Commission, Michael poured his soul into the Telluride community. He was known for his big heart, generosity, sense of humor, and being the life of the party. Michael never passed up an opportunity to spend time with friends and family, and never met a stranger he didn’t like, always making everyone feel welcome.

Michael is survived by his four children, Kyle (37), Kolby (36), Madison (35), and Anna (19), along with his three grandchildren, Oakes (3), Nash (1), and Ridge (1). He is also survived by his two younger sisters, Debora Van Arsdale and Irene Ward.

A celebration of life will be held in Telluride Town Park on June 6, 2026, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. All are welcome to come celebrate his remarkable life. Forever in our hearts