Melbourne, Geelong, etc, Vic

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Death of the Rev. Mr. Ward, The Argus, Melbourne, 16 January 1858, p 6, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7145171:

After a brief illness, the Rev. Mr. Ward expired at his residence, Heidelberg, on Thursday night, to the sincere sorrow of his friends. Mr. Ward was founder and patron of the Catholic Orphanage at Emerald Hill ; and the poor children for whom he raised up this asylum from suffering and temptation, will feel keenly the loss of their kindly benefactor. We understand that the remains will be brought to St. Francis's Church, where there will be an Office and Requiem Mass, this evening, at half-past eight o'clock. The funeral procession to the New Cemetery will take place immediately afterwards.

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Funeral of the Rev. Gerald A. Ward, The Argus, Melbourne, 18 January 1858, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7145219:

The remains of this lamented clergyman were brought from Heidelberg to St. Francis's Church, at half-past 10 o'clock, on Friday night, and, on Saturday morning, at half-past 8, the solemn service for the dead, according to the ritual of the Roman Catholic Church, was commenced ; after the recital of which the solemn high mass "Da requiem," was celebrated by his Lordship the Bishop. The ceremonial over, the body was removed to the New Cemetery, where the last services were read by the Bishop. His Lordship appeared unusually affected, but he is not the only one who has to deplore the loss of the Rev. Mr. Ward, in whom many a widow and orphan had found a good friend. Mr. Ward had served the Roman Catholic Church in these colonies for more than seven years, and had earned for himself the affection and respect of all who knew him. He was fifty-two years of age. Nearly all the Roman Catholic clergy of Melbourne and its vicinity assisted at the funeral services, there being present the Bishop ; Dr. Geoghegan, V. G ; Dr. Fitzpatrick, V. G.; the Very Rev. L. Shiel; the Rev. D. McEvoy; the Rev. J. J. Bleasdale; the Rev. J. Hogue; the Rev. P. Madden, of Ballaarat; the Rev. P. Smith, of Castlemaine; the Rev. H. Geoghan, of Kyneton; the Rev. J. O'Connell, of Emerald Hill; the Rev. R. Downing, of Keilor; the Rev. R. Rankin; the Very Rev. Dean Hughes, of Geelong; the Rev. W. Shinnick, of Geelong; and the Rev. W. McCartney, of Geelong. A large number of the laity also assisted at the services, which lasted till nearly 11 o'clock.

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Freeman’s Journal, Sydney, 23 January 1858, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115562135:

The Rev. Gerald A. Ward, aged 52, died on Thursday night, the 14th instant, at his residence, Heidelberg, distant about eight miles from Melbourne. He was in town on the Friday previous, and the illness to which he fell a victim was of very short duration. His Lordship the Bishop of Melbourne visited him frequently and administered the rites of the Church previous to his decease. A pious, zealous, and unostentatious priest, distinguished for the most active benevolence, and for acts of charity numerous, unassuming, and it may be said universal, his loss will be grievously felt. He was endeared to all who knew him personally, by the kindly simplicity of his generous heart, the geniality of his disposition, and the fervid anxiety he always evinced for the progress of religion and practical works of mercy. Suffering from a protracted indisposition that often impeded his desire for greater activity in the works which engaged his solicitude — he was prevented from carrying out the development of plans for the benefit of the orphan and the helpless who were especial objects of his regard. He was a faithful follower of the Holy St. Vincent de Paul, to whose patronage is dedicated the Orphanage at Emerald Hill, founded, built, and supported largely out of the private resources of Father Ward. An Irishman from England, possessing the generous impulses and enthusiasm of his own country, and a missionary experience in the other, he was enabled to turn those virtues to a good account in the service of his Divine Master. Arrived here in 1850, he shared in the toils and severe duties of the clergy during the subsequent years of arduous labors, and he was always indefatigable in endeavors to succour those little ones that would otherwise have fallen a prey to vice, misfortune, or perversion. The Church has lost in him a devoted minister, and his flock a pastor that burned with zeal for their moral and religious welfare and instruction. May his example fructify, and the pious efforts he initiated for the advancement of religion be followed up with the same earnestness and self-denial which he practised. His remains were conveyed from Heidelberg to St. Francis' Cathedral, where, on Saturday morning a solemn Requiem Mass was chaunted, and they were followed to the new cemetery, near Melbourne, by a large number of the faithful, who, in common with all who knew him, will remember his memory with the most affectionate respect.— Correspondent.

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Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 1, 1979, p 63: "Ward, Gerald Archibald/Eng./Ushaw/Melb. 1850-58. 0rd. '39. Formerly served in Eng. d. 14.1.1858."