Dr. George C. Wright passed away on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at the age of 90. The longtime Norwich resident was born on March 3, 1926 in Shawsville, MD, the son of James G. and Rose A. (Hulshart) Wright. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Martha M. (Roth) Wright, formerly of Nazareth, PA. He is also survived by his three children: Susan C. Dreyer (Todd) of Norwich, NY, Wayne C. Wright (Deborah Cox) of Prescott, AZ, and Stephanie R. Guy (Steven) of Camp Hill, PA; brothers James R. Wright of Silver Spring, MD and Kenneth R. Wright of Fawn Grove, PA. He is further survived by five grandchildren, Kristi Mollica, Brianne Brunick, Paul Brunick Jr., Michele Corbin and Nick Brunick; 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one brother, Richard, four sisters, Beatrice, Roberta, Pauline and Rae Adeline and nephews, Tommy and Nick.
The son of a country blacksmith in rural Maryland, George led a typical southern lifestyle of that era. He was often barefoot, learned to swim in the local creek, sang and played guitar with his family, earned money (along with brother Ken) by going to school early to stoke the fire, and at age 11 drove his father’s truck to the store to get supplies.
George graduated from Jarrettsville High School in Jarrettsville, MD in 1943. He earned a full scholarship to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, where he completed a Bachelor‘s Degree and then a Master of Engineering Degree. He served two years in the U.S. Army, from October 1950 to August of 1952, where he was assigned as a scientist to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, MD. After leaving the service, he began working at the General Aniline & Film Corporation in Easton, PA, where he met his future wife Martha at a Saturday night dance. Their shared love of music brought them together. Soon after their marriage, the young couple moved to Newark, DE, where George enrolled at The University of Delaware as a PhD candidate. While in Newark, the couple gave birth to their eldest daughter Susan. In 1957 George completed his PhD in organic chemistry. In February of 1958 George accepted a position at Norwich Pharmaceuticals Woods Corners laboratories, and the young family, which now included newborn son Wayne, moved to Norwich. Stephanie was born the next year. George retired as a Senior Chemist from Norwich Eaton in 1981.
In addition to his career and family, George was very active in politics. As a strong liberal voice in a conservative community, George campaigned for many Democratic politicians, both nationally and locally. He represented central New York State as a delegate for George McGovern at the Democratic Convention, in Miami, FL, in 1972. George was never afraid to speak his mind, whether voicing support for a presidential candidate or opposition to a proposed toxic waste dump to be built in Chenango County. People often comment about his letters to the editor. More recently, he worked just as fervently for the Green Party and was a driving force in the Saturday morning demonstrations against the War on Iraq. These demonstrations were a fixture of the Norwich community for more than a decade. George delighted in counting the number of “honks for peace” that they received each week. George also supported Greenpeace, a national organization dedicated to preserving the environment.
George felt strongly about the importance of education, most likely based on that fact that his mother was a teacher in the early 1900’s. His children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews all reminisce about George assisting with homework, and teaching them math, reading, music or memory games such as chess. Because of George’s interest in the quality of local education, he served on the Norwich Board of Education for seven years.
Based on George and Martha’s firm beliefs in peace and acceptance of others, they became active members of the Quaker meeting.
George was a modern-day Copernicus. He recycled, saved gas, questioned medical authorities, used “time-out” rather than spanking, promoted healthy eating and exercise and limited screen time fifty years before the rest of society recognized and accepted these principles. It turns out George was absolutely “Wright”!!
George’s hobbies included organic gardening, singing and playing his guitar and attempting to play piano, being outdoors and traveling. George and his wife Martha took many Elderhostel trips and visited many of the U.S. National Parks.
In his final years, George resigned himself to the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease claiming: “It’s okay if I don’t have a memory – now I don’t have to worry about anything anymore!!”
He will be remembered fondly by his family and friends.
George’s family would like to thank The Plains at Parish Homestead in Oneonta, NY and The Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for the compassionate care of George in the final years of his life.
A memorial service for George Wright will be held at the American Legion, 29 Sheldon Street in Norwich, on Wednesday, May 4, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The family invites all of George’s many friends and acquaintances to join them in this Celebration of Life event.
A private service for George will be held from the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home followed by interment in the Pioneer Cemetery of North Guilford.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes Street, Norwich, NY, 13815.
Arrangements are with the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home.