Wallace E. Wright
1925 – 2010

AUBURN — Wallace E. Wright, 84, a resident of Island Road in Sabattus, passed away Monday, Feb. 8, at the Hospice House, with family at his side.

He was born in Sabattus, July 30, 1925, a son of Arthur and Jennie (Ligget) Wright. He was educated in local schools and remained a lifelong and active resident of this community. On June 22, 1944, he married Rowena Swett. He was a veteran of the military, having served his country in the Navy during World War II.

He was an extremely dedicated, loyal and active member of his community and a very patriotic American who took great pride in his country and helping others. For many years, he was a volunteer for various local community groups and would strip copper to get money that he could donate to many different deserving community groups in need.

His civic memberships included years on the Sabattus Fire Department and school board as well as serving as a Sabattus selectman, member of Sabattus Senior Citizens and a volunteer and leader for the Sabattus Boy Scouts.

He was a member and strong supporter of both the VFW and the American Legion and was a 64-year member of Sabattus Legion Post 135, where he held an official office almost every year, including serving as a seven-time past commander and past legion county commander. For more than 50 years, he participated in every Sabattus Memorial Day parade and in 1978, he donated the land and building where the current post stands today. In 1988, a new addition to the building was constructed and dedicated to the post from Wallace and his brothers.

He was a 59-year member of the Masons, serving in various chairs throughout the years, including past master of Webster Lodge 164. He was a member and past worthy patron of Order of the Eastern Star, Lakeside Chapter 60, as well as a member of Kora Temple Shrine. For many years, he donated his own money to provide tickets for local children to attend the Shrine Circus.

Among his favorite enjoyments in his free time were playing horseshoes, cribbage, billiards, fishing, cooking and camping, as he and his wife Rowena spent 38 summers as regulars at Two Lakes Campground in Oxford.

He leaves his wife of 65 years, Rowena Wright of Sabattus; a daughter, Shelia Ortiz and her husband, Frank, of Elizabeth, N.J.; four grandchildren, Arrica Cooper and husband, Robert, Natasha Wright, Jennifer Meza and husband, Javier and Joshua Ortiz; two great-grandchildren, Alex Meza and Devon Meza; a great-granddaughter, Sydney Cooper, soon to be born, due March 1; two sisters, Mildred Darling and Shirley Duquette, both of Sabattus; a brother, Robert Wright and wife, Rita, also of Sabattus; and two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Wright and Vada Wright.

He was predeceased by his son, Gerry W. Wright on Feb. 5 in Florida; his brothers, Albion, James, Phillip and George; and his sisters, Edna, Mary and Margaret. He will be missed dearly by many nieces and nephews.