In Memory

John A. Wright - Class Of 1973

John A. Wright

John Wright

October 24, 1955 - August 16, 2022

John Andrew Wright arrived in the world in 1955 as a birthday gift for his mom, Mary 'Sue' Close Wright '32, who turned 41 on that October 24th. He was the last of five boys: Charles Benjamin 'C.B.', Peter '62, David '64, and Stephen '71. John passed at the age of 66 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was preceded in death by his dad in 1958 and his mom in 1982, and his oldest brother, in 1996.

It wasn't 'easy street' on Stratford Avenue. His mom was one of the few single mothers around town and she raised her boys on a tight budget funded only from Social Security and anything extra. In the 60s and 70s the family home was on a street filled with children and the sounds of sports, mini-bikes, mischief, and learning - including learning how to watch out for each other, help each other and care for each other. John grew up in a Catholic home when he went to church at Holy Family Catholic Church and attended SPHS where he played guard for the varsity football team.

In 1975 John accepted Christ as his personal Savior and this life-changing experience was the foundation that guided him to travel as a missionary to Kenya in 1978. There John explored the idea of one day becoming a missionary but following that experience knew it was not what God was calling him to do. After his mission in Africa, John looked up his father's relatives in England, visited his father's childhood home and met many of his relatives. The missionary experience and time in Europe changed his life forever.

As a young adult, John was an almost daily companion to his mom during her final time battling cancer. About this time, he also began to set his sights on owning his own businesses. John was confident when it came to jobs, and he had an appetite for life adventures, including enjoying the open road while riding his Honda 750 motorcycle on long trips and exploring the country. John's interest in owning and running his own business grew when he began working as a salesman for his cousin Bill's company Kirk Paper. During this period of his life, he went to a singles retreat through his church where he met Marie Mackowiak. They became close friends and developed a deep love, marrying in 1983.

When first married John and Marie bought a Harley and spent time camping along the west coast. Shortly thereafter they purchased their first home in San Gabriel and the first business, Custom Needlecraft Finishing, which was located a mile away. As time went on, they traded their motorcycle for devotion to business and family time. In 1988 they successfully moved the business to Albany, Oregon and in 1990 they realized their dream of living in the country with the purchase of an 80-acre farm, 'the Bear Farm' in Turner, Oregon. The biggest blessing in John and Marie's new lives together was the gift of their two sons, Joshua in 1989 and Jacob in 1991. John also had much joy from the birth of his grandson, Joseph in 2021.

In 2002 after several additional business ventures in Oregon, the family was on their next adventure in Las Vegas, Nevada. John found work at a vending machine company which he later purchased and operated with his wife and sons.

After a marriage of 25 years, John and Marie divorced in 2008. Marie remembers John's deep love for the Almighty God, family, friends, and hard work; his electric personality, happy demeanor, honesty, sincerity, and creativity as well as how romantic John was. He always had little surprises to brighten a day, he was kind and sweet and very loving.

John never lost his sense of adventure in life and was always looking for the next opportunity to turn strangers into friends. He talked to and got to know people everywhere he went. He loved helping anyone in any way he could and truly knew no stranger. In the end, John was always strong and willing to work hard to get things done.  John was an amazing man who had a positive influence on all he met! He was loved!

The Wright Family, September 28, 2022



 
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09/28/22 03:18 PM #1    

Bruce Eskander -SPHSAA Webmaster (1972)

I'm very sad to hear of John's passing. I remember John well from high school, especially while we were both teammates on the 'B' Football team in 1971.

John and I played opposite each other on defense many times as either left and right guards or left and right tackles. John and I had to coordinate our efforts on the field. As I recall (I could be wrong) we changed up those positions with Ernie Manriquez, Bob Hudson, Bob Simpson, Keith Yuen, and David Gerletti. 

John was nice to me, not something I could say about a lot of the other boys back then who gave me a hard time for being one of the smaller kids in school. John was not mean or unkind to anyone that I can recall. He was a good person and it sounds like he lived up to that legacy of goodwill and kindness in his later years.

From what the family wrote John and I had several things in common and we could have been friends later in life. I wish our paths had crossed again but that did not happen. Since high school, many of us go in different directions in life and we are lucky if we cross paths again. That's why I like that we can see each other at high school reunions or the annual alumni picnics at Garfield Park.

Rest in peace John and may God bless you and your family through all eternity.


1971 B Football teammates. John Wright is behind and in between #72 and #55. 

 

 


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