Robert J. Wright
July 13, 1940 ~ June 5, 2020
DANVERS - Robert J. Wright, 79, passed away on June 5, 2020 in Beverly Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Margaret G. (Cleary) Wright, with whom he shared 55 years of marriage.
Robert was born in Somerville on July 13, 1940 to Harold Francis Wright and Mary Marks Wright. He admirably served our country with the United States Army during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged. He worked as the assistant chief probation officer for the Salem District courts for 44 years, until his retirement in 2011. Robert earned his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Northeastern University. He was a very dedicated “family man” who also loved baseball, birds, gardening, listening to the radio, writing poetry, collecting items, and telling stories. “Bob” was always willing to lend a hand or a listening ear to anyone in need. He also was always working on his next invention to improve the world.
In addition to his wife, Margaret, he is survived by four children, Ramona Henriquez and her husband, Eddie of VA, Robert Wright of Salem MA, Rebecca Murphy and her husband, John of Marshfield MA, and Rachel Wright-Provencher of ME, and was the “Grampy” to five grandchildren, Brianna, Cristian, Jack, Amber and Abby. He was predeceased by seven siblings and his son-in-law, Eric Provencher.
His funeral services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Robert’s name to any of the following: Horizons for Homeless Children at http://horizonschildren.org, The Jimmy Fund at http://www.jimmyfund.org, or The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org.
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Bob was my close friend and co worker at the Salem District Court for 35 years. We spent a great deal of time together trying to help the youth and young adults stay out of further trouble with the law. Bob was a person with a big understanding heart. He was always available to give a hand or sit and listen to a persons problems. Bob had a great sense of humor and was an advocate of learning from both the past and the present. We will miss Bobs unique personality, friendship , compassion and competitiveness. He was a special person and will truly be missed. Bob , I hope you are resting in
Peace
I heard about the loss of uncle Robert. So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers to you all. Mary Wright Mullaney.
When I think of Uncle Bob I remember his intelligence, wit, and the summer the Hickey kids stayed with the Wrights. He took all of us to see an outdoor performance of West Side Story. I’m sure he didn’t realize that day he was creating a memory that would stay with his niece for over forty years! He was a loving and devoted father. I am keeping all of your sad hearts in my thoughts and prayers.
There are some people we meet in life who are always smiling, and we are always fortunate to have these people in our lives. Uncle Bob was one of them. It’s impossible for me to picture him without a smile on his face. I don’t remember ever seeing him with anything less than a grin, and that made me always happy to see him and talk with him. He will be missed, by his family most of all, but also by everyone who had their days brightened by having Uncle Bob’s smile rub off on them at least a bit. My love to the Wrights.
Mr. Wight (Bob) was a one of kind man. Exceptionally kind, funny, and a great listener. The ultimate family man. When my family lost the best and most influential man in my life (my Dad) to cancer 22 years ago, Mr. Wright filled that role for me, always checking in on me, telling me to not be too hard on myself, and always sharing great wisdom.
He was so proud of his 4 children (Rebecca, Ramona, Robert, and Rachel) as they all chose fields/professions to help others who needed a helping hand. He was also so proud of his grandchildren (Jack, Brianna, Cristian, Amber, and Abby) and had such a warm way to engage them.
He and Mrs. Wright have been married for 55 years and have been a wonderful couple for almost 60 years. I take comfort that Mr. Wright and my Dad are in a better place, but we will all miss Bob’s smile, huge laugh, selflessness, gigantic heart, and kindness. The world lost a great man last Friday and heaven gained another saint.
I have always considered February 9th, 1991 as one of the best dates in my life as that is when I met beautiful Rebecca, whose external beauty is only surpassed by her kind heart and inner beauty. Our marriage 25 years ago led to our wonderful son Jack, who is the epitome of an angel on earth and walking miracle. Both reflect the values and lessons Mr. Wright taught them.
In closing, I simply want to say thank you as Mr. Wright welcomed me into his family and taught me so much. One of the best ways we can honor him in the days, weeks, months, and years to come is to pay his lessons of kindness forward. Rest in peace Mr. Wright.
Bob was a man for family gatherings. He loved to tell stories and entertain. He had a strong love for all of us, and we will miss him. We send our prayers to my sister, Peggy, his children and grandchildren. Bob will always be in our memories.
Love,
Jean and Neil
Rebecca, John, Jack & the entire Wright family,
Bill, Colleen, Caitlyn and I extend our deepest sympathies to you. Mr Wright was a sweet and kind man who always had a smile, friendly word and a story for everyone who he came in contact with. May he Rest In Peace and may your memories of him bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Bob died about four and a half years ago. I met him in 1961 or 1962 when we both worked at Camp Wediko, a very interesting overnight camp in NH for troubled boys. We were both college students and immediately became friends. I once borrowed his motorcycle on a day off and drove it to visit my girlfriend at a camp in northern NH. We later married and are still together. Though Bob and I talked very rarely since the mid-60’s, I never forgot some of our conversations about the kids we were working with. He was a very smart, insightful person from whom I learned a lot. I was visited once by his son Robert. We talked about his father’s long career of helping kids who came through the courts in Salem where Bob helped run the Probation Department. I just read his obit on-line and miss him all over again. I just wanted to say “hi” again to Bob and thank him for making me a better clinician in the decades since we worked together.