Rev. John J. Wright
Deceased: 2018-05-03
Diocese: CLEVELAND
ICTE Spring: 1990
Reverend John J. Wright – Bishop Nelson Perez will be the main celebrant at the funeral Mass for Father John J. Wright at 11 a.m. May 15 at St. Dominic Church, 19000 Van Aken Blvd., Shaker Heights. Father Tom O’Donnell will be the homilist.
Father Wright, 74, died on May 3, 2018.
Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries will preside at vespers at 3 p.m. May 14 at St. Dominic Church. He also will be the homilist. The wake will continue at the church until 7 p.m.
He was born to the late Robert and Rita (Hughes) Wright on May 1, 1944. Father Wright was educated at St. Leo School, Rhode Island; Bayview Academy, Rhode Island; St. Christopher School, Rocky River; St. Louis School, Pittsford, New York; McQuaid Jesuit High School, Rochester, New York; St. Ignatius High School, Cleveland; Borromeo Seminary, Wickliffe, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Georgetown University, Washington D.C.; and Saint Mary Seminary, Wickliffe.
He was ordained to the priesthood for services to the Diocese of Cleveland by his uncle, the late Cardinal John Wright, for whom he was named, on June 12, 1978 in Gesu Divin Maestro, Rome.
Father Wright’s first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Bernadette Parish, Westlake. On Sept. 29, 1979 he was named coordinator of the Diocesan Building Commission and associate secretary of the Diocesan Financial and Legal Office. From Sept. 1, 1981 until May 31, 1986 he served as a canonical consultor. On Jan. 2, 1982, Father Wright was appointed secretary for the Diocesan Financial and Legal Office. During this assignment, he assumed the following: chaplain, Catholic Lawyer’s Guild, Anchor Club; trustee, Saint Mary Seminary; chairman, Diocesan Hospitalization Committee; member, Priest’s Retirement Board; bishop’s representative, liaison, Diocesan Insurance Service Committee; bishop’s representative, Workmen’s Compensation; bishop’s representative, Oliver Tyrone and New York Project.
Father Wright was also a member of the following: Board of Catholic Cemeteries Association, Diocesan Budget Committee, Board of Central Purchasing and Central Maintenance, Diocesan Building Commission and Distribution and Management Committees of Catholic Education Endowment Trust.
While living at Jennings Center for Older Adults, Father Wright served as chaplain, Sisters of the Holy Spirit, from March 1, 1991 until Oct. 18, 1999.
He was named pastor of St. Timothy Parish in Cleveland on Oct. 18, 1999.
From Nov. 19, 1996 until Aug. 31, 2009, Father Wright was director of the Catholic Cemeteries Association. He also served as administrator of Holy Spirit Parish, Garfield Heights, from Jan. 1, 2008 until March 1, 2008. On Sept. 1, 2009, he was named administrator of St. Pius X Parish in Bedford. Father Wright was appointed administrator of St. Mary Parish in Bedford on Oct. 22, 2009, and one month later, on Nov. 22, 2009 he was named pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Bedford, where he served until his retirement on June 18, 2014.
Father Wright served the local Church with great dedication and devotion. His commitment to the poor and marginalized, care for the grieving and attention and pastoral care for his co-workers will be greatly missed.
Interment will be at All Saints Cemetery in Northfield.
