Russell W. Wright

Russell W. Wright, 88, of Waterboro, Maine died peacefully on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at St. Andre's Health Care Facility in Biddeford, Maine; surrounded by family. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 4th, 1926, the son of Lucius W. Wright and Bessie O. (Vinton) Wright. He grew up in the Boston suburbs and entered the US Navy in 1944, where he served onboard the USS McGowan DD678 as a boatswain's mate, second class in the South Pacific Theater of World War II. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. Russell married his childhood sweetheart, Marion C. Fay, November 24th, 1945. After his discharge from the Navy, Russell and Marion raised their family in Natick, Massachusetts where he started the Natick Roofing Co., Inc., which he sold to his sons Russell and Richard in 1975. He then moved to Waterboro, Maine and worked for M. B. Bourne Roofing Co., running their slate and copper roofing restoration division for six years. In 1983, he started the Heritage Co. with his son Victor. With The Heritage Co., he oversaw the historically accurate slate and copper roof restoration of many of Maine's landmark buildings until his retirement in 1994. He continued to act as a consultant to The Heritage Co. his remaining years.While raising his family in Natick, Russell started the St. Patrick's Patriots Drum and Bugle Corps with the two oldest of his six children. He raised the St. Patrick's Patriots to a class B competing unit in the Catholic Youth Organization circuit in the greater Boston area. Later, in his retirement years, he joined the Holy Trinity Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, which was made up of many St. Patrick's Drum and Bugle Corps Alumni.Russell remained active throughout his life and in retirement with his love of camping, hunting, fishing, boating, and snowmobiling. He loved to share all of these activities with his family and friends. In addition, Russell was an incredible craftsman and jack-of-all trades...woodworking, masonry, cabinetry, and copper work. He enjoyed helping family and friends with home improvement projects such as cabinets, tile flooring, masonry fireplaces, copper lanterns and many other gifts that he brought to life with the work of his hands. Russell was predeceased by his wife, Marion C. (Fay) Wright; son, Mark K. Wright; grandchildren, Russell J. Wright, Kenneth J. Wright, and Nicole M. Wright; and lifelong friend Jim Cooper.He is survived by his children, Russell J. Wright and wife Linda (Gaudet) Wright of Machiasport, Maine; Richard D. Wright and wife Aretha (Davis) Wright of Natick, Massachusetts; Elizabeth A. (Wright) Rancourt and husband Jacques Rancourt of South Berwick, Maine; Joan M. Wright of Saco, Maine ; and Victor A. Wright and wife Roxie (Sukeforth) Wright of Waterboro, Maine. He also leaves behind many grandchildren and great grandchildren.Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 19th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00PM at the Carll - Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street in Springvale, Maine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:00 AM at St. Matthew's Church, 19 Dora Lane in Limerick, Maine. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Pine Grove Cemetery on West Road in Waterboro, Maine. In lieu of flowers, please make donations, in his memory, to St. Andre's Health Care Facility, 407 Pool Street in Biddeford, Maine 04005.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.To leave a message of condolence for the family please click on the condolences tab to the left.