Deceased: 2004-02-17
Diocese: RENO
Seminary Graduation Year: 1956
WRIGHT, Reverend Thomas E. A priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno, died in Petaluma, CA on February 17, 2004 after a short illness. Father Wright was born in San Rafael, CA, October 9, 1928. The family moved to Las Vegas and he attended elementary school and the first year of high school in Las Vegas. In 1943, he enrolled in Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento where he completed his high school education. He attended St. Joseph’s College in Mt. View, CA and St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, where he received a BA degree. He continued his theological studies in Rome and received an S.T.B. degree from Gregorian University. He was ordained a priest on December 17, 1955. Upon his return to Nevada, he served the Diocese of Reno in assignments at St. Anne’s Parish in Las Vegas (1956-58), Bishop Manogue Catholic High School (1958-61), St. Albert the Great Parish in Reno (1952-63), St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Wells (1968), and St. Peter’s Parish in Henderson (1969) among others. He completed graduate studies at St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO and in 1973 received an ASW degree. Upon his return to Nevada in 1974, he was assigned as director of Catholic Welfare and Social Services of North Nevada. In 1984 he was appointed pastor of St. Michael’s Parish in Stead and in 1991 began his last assignment at Holy Family Parish in Yerington and St. John the Baptist in Smith Valley. He retired from active ministry on June 30, 2000. He moved to Petaluma, CA in 2001 to be near his family. Fr. Wright was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Anna Zanardi and his brother Denny F. Wright. He is survived by his brother, J. Clint Wright of Las Vegas and his nieces and nephews; T. Michael Martin, J. Patrick Martin, Colleen Hoburg, Stephen Martin, Lou Zanardi, John D. Wright, Denise Hammett, James C. Wright, and numerous grand nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass, Monday, February 23, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 125 Sonoma Mt. Parkway, Petaluma. Friends may call for visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at ADOBE CREEK FUNERAL HOME, 331 Lakeville St., Petaluma, and after 6:30 p.m. at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Church in Stead, NV or Holy Family Parish in Yerington, NV. Private interment, Yerington Cemetery.
