Richard Owen Wright, 90, passed peacefully away on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2026.
Born February 13, 1936, to Owen and Laura Mae (Williams) Wright, Richard “Dick” Wright grew up in Syracuse, New York, a place he often recalled with fond memories of an idyllic childhood on Lincoln Avenue. He cherished the people, places, and homes that made that time in his life so special.
The family later moved to New Woodstock, New York, where many happy years were spent “up on the hill.” After graduating, Dick married his high school sweetheart, Carol Miller, and together they welcomed two daughters, Lorrie and Julie. They resided in Cazenovia, NY until moving to Rochester, NY. when Dick took a job with General Dynamics. He also entertained everyone with his wonderful singing voice at various nightclubs.
Dick was a man of deep conviction and quiet strength. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War as a radar technician and helped establish a much-needed orphanage in Seoul—an experience that shaped his lifelong sense of duty and service. He carried that same dedication into his work in the Baptist ministry and his involvement in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
In the 1970s, Dick relocated to Vermont for work. Although the distance from his roots and family was not always easy, he found his work at Simmonds Precision deeply rewarding and formed many lifelong friendships. It was also in Vermont that he met the love of his life, Mary McKinnon. When they married, he gained two additional daughters, Kelly and Macky, completing a blended family he held close to his heart. Dick and Mary spent much of their time together at their Shadow Lake camp in Glover, Vermont, where family and friends gathered to enjoy the peaceful lake and surrounding woods. During these years and beyond, Dick continued his commitment to service through active involvement in the Vergennes Rotary Club, where he found purpose in giving back to his community. His love of children continued through his work volunteering and reading to our local youth at Vergennes Elementary School.
Dick leaves behind his beloved wife, Mary; his sisters, Bonnie Winfield and Patsy Harrington (Dan); his daughters, Lorrie Swartwout (Curt), Julie Wright-Procopio (Jim), Kelly McKinnon (Phil), and Macky Gaines (Scott); his grandchildren, Alexandria (Misha), Emily, Christopher, Brandon, Aaron, and Chelsea; and his great-grandchildren, Monica, Maliah, Nora, Troy, Micah, Malachi, and Luis.
He was predeceased by his parents, Owen and Laura Wright, his siblings, Roger, Douglas, Susan, George, and his beloved grandson, Richard.
A funeral Mass will be held on April 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Saint Peter’s Church in Vergennes. A reception and celebration of his life will follow at the American Legion Post 14 in Vergennes.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Middlebury Porter Hospital Palliative Care Unit, and in particular to his special nurse, Katrina, whose compassion and care for his dignity brought great comfort in his final days. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dick’s name may be made to the UVM Health Porter Medical Center Palliative Medicine Care Unit (Estuary Room), Vergennes Rotary Club or St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
