Richard F. Wright “Dick” passed away peacefully at St. Peters Hospice Inn in Albany on April 29, 2014, at the age of 81. He was born in Burlington Flats on August 30, 1932 to his parents, Charles F. Wright and Ella G. Loomis and began his career in the USAF in 1942, retiring as a Major in 1971. He served tours of duty in Labrador, Africa, Taiwan, Texas, South Carolina, Hawaii and Illinois. He served our country in Vietnam and was unfortunately exposed to the devastating effects of Agent Orange, which contributed to his chronic illnesses.
Dick is survived by his loving sister, Joan M. Decker & James “Ike” ; his beloved children, Richard C. Wright & Judie of Norwich NY; William D. Wright & Vicki of Frederica, DE; Robert J. Wright and Joann of Algonac, MI; Donald E. Wright & Teri of Athens, AL; Sheri L. Christian & Steve of North Norwich, NY; Thomas F. Wright & Lauri of So. New Berlin, NY; and their dear mother, Naomi E. Wright of Norwich, NY. Sadly, Dick and Naomi lost their precious daughter Debra K. Bolek to breast cancer at the young age of 40. Dick is also survived by his beloved step-children, Linda Guinn & Jim of Norwich, NY; Donna Dacre & Terrance of Frederick, MD; Michael Petry & Carolyn of Norwich, NY; Thomas Petry & Carolyn of South New Berlin, NY; Theresa Orzeck & Richard of Trumansburg, NY; Wendy Petry-Jones of Smyrna, NY and Shawn Petry & Ellen of Wahiawa, HI. Dick was blessed with 32 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren and loved them all very much. He was pre-deceased by his parents named above and his dear sisters, Clara L. and Patricia A. Wright; and his beloved wife, Betty Jean (Colyer) Petry Wright.
In the early years, Dick and Naomi enjoyed raising their seven kids together and were often referred to as the “The Wright Tribe.” The whole family would travel by car from Illinois to visit family in New York, joined by the family dog, Waldo, and their duck, Gertrude, who made the trip safely in a Kentucky Fried Chicken bucket. Dick loved to take his family swimming and would tirelessly propel one after another off from his shoulders into the water. In true military fashion, he organized assembly lines to create home-made banana splits and posted duty rosters on the refrigerator to organize the daily chores. He was also impossible to beat at ping pong, having the wing span of a condor.
Later in life, Dick married his second wife, Betty who came with seven children of her own. They all loved to gather at their place by the river and enjoyed playing games, ice skating, boating, bon fires, and camping. On Sundays, Dick and Betty loved to pack a picnic lunch and explore the back country roads. They built kayaks, chairs, benches, wooden toys, knick knacks, wishing wells and a gazebo together. They loved to garden and on the rare occasion that they actually sat down, they loved to watch all of the wildlife that would visit their “little piece of heaven.”
After Dick lost Betty to cancer, he spent his time frequenting the diners in Norwich and made many friends there and at the various hospitals in the area. He loved to give away brownies, pens, calendars, apples and real maple syrup. This was probably because he was a direct (but distant) descendent of the notorious Loomis gang and felt he should make amends for his thieving ancestors.
Most people will remember Dick for his wise-cracking t-shirts and his goofy “fake hair” he liked to wear. He felt very blessed to have such a large family and truly believed that life was precious. So precious that he would advise any smokers he came upon to not make the same mistake he had. If you are a smoker and reading this, you can make Dick very happy by making a plan to STOP….. NOW.
Knowing he wasn’t a perfect man, Dick tried to be a good son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and uncle. He loved to laugh and had a sharp mind and great sense of humor right to the very end. He would want you to remember his best qualities and forgive his shortcomings. Rest in peace, Dad and we’ll see you on the other side—and yes, we’ll bring more pens!
A memorial service for Dick will be held on Saturday, May 3, at noon from the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home of Norwich.
Friends may call at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at noon.
Please consider memorial contributions in Dick’s memory to Paralyzed Veterans of America, 7 Mill Brook Road, Wilton, NH 03086 with checks made payable to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.