James Ward dies

Thursday was a tough day in Chicago media, as it was announced another well-known personality had died.

Retired WLS-TV restaurant critic James Ward died on Thursday afternoon after a long battle with cancer. He was 76 – the same age as Johnny “Red” Kerr, who died the same day.

Also passing on Thursday was Chicago Bull legend Norm Van Lier, who was 61.

Ward was the station’s long-time restaurant critic, joining the station in 1985 and appearing on the ABC-owned station’s Friday night newscasts where he scored the dining establishments using a system of “breads” and “circuses”.

Ward also was a food critic for the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Daily News, and also wrote for numerous lifestyle magazines.

After twenty years at WLS-TV, Ward retired in December 2005.

Thanks for the fun Mr. Ward, and as you would always say – Chow Chow for now.

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