Uncle John is the fourth born of Jack and Anna. He was born only a year after his sister, Mary, and he used to tell a joke that when Gram would take them for a walk in the stroller she would put Aunt Mary under the blanket and him on top. They were very close their whole lives and Aunt Mary remembers him as being very kind, generous and intelligent. His younger sister, Phyllis, remembers him as being a great singer with a wonderful sense of humor. From the time he was young, he was nicknamed “Christmas Early” because of his love of all things Christmas. Aunt Mary remembers that he saved his pennies to buy gifts for his family, something that made him very happy. His love of holidays, especially Christmas, lasted his whole life. He loved music and played the trombone in the Larksville High School Band. He had a reputation of being an excellent student. After graduation he worked at the strip mines in Larksville, but decided to leave for better opportunities in New Jersey. He married Maurita Conahan from Larksville and they began their life together in New Jersey. After a few years, he was hired at IBM in New York, completed his Engineering Degree at Marist College and, as an engineer, developed several patents for IBM. He and Maurita had two children, Patrice and John, and they lived a happy life in Fishkill, NY. Their door was always open for family and friends and the best parties happened at their house. He was an avid Notre Dame fan and attended many games. Maurita, a graduate of Misericordia College, was a home economics teacher until she left her career to raise her children and run her home, During those years, she was a well respected volunteer at her church, hospital and town. She organized and ran the very successful lunch program at Patrice and John’s school for many years.Uncle John loved his Wright family and traveled back to Larksville frequently to attend every event and celebration. Being the wonderful story teller he was, he was the life of every party and he often entertained the crowd with his beautiful version of “Danny Boy” followed by “The Notre Dame Fight Song” and “The Larksville Song”, always a crowd pleaser. He was a really good man who left us much too soon. Do you have any John Wright memories? Please share them with us.
It is with sadness in our hearts that we say goodby to Maurita. She passed on December 7th, 2021.
Her Obituary Reads:
FISHKILL – Maurita M. Wright, 84, an area resident since the late 1960’s, died on December 7, 2021 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. She previously lived in Larksville, PA.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA on August 31, 1937, Maurita was the daughter of the late Frank and Loretta (Cantwell) Conahan. Maurita was an alumna of College Misercorida, and had worked as a Home Economics teacher in Plymouth, PA. She lived a life of service. She volunteered at the Fishkill food pantry, St. Francis Hospital, and numerous community programs. Maurita’s home was always open to all.
Maurita is survived by her children, Patrice Anjos and her husband Jose of Fishkill and John Wright and his significant other Nancy Williams of Newburgh; her grandchildren, Laura and Nicole, and Aidan; her “sister”, Sr. Martha Hanlon, RSM; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was also predeceased by her husband of 30 years, John Wright, Sr. in 1993; her brother, Frank Conahan; and her sister, Patrice Benjamin.
Calling hours will be held on Friday from 5-8 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday at 9:45 am at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street, Fishkill followed by burial at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.
Please visit Maurita’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.
