Obituary for Donald K Wright Jr.
Donald K. Wright, Jr.
Milbridge, ME and Jacksonville, FL – Donald K. Wright, Jr., son of Carolyn and the late Donald K. Wright, Sr., passed away Monday, June 13, 2022 from multiple health issues caused by 35 years of quadriplegia.
Born in Jonesport, ME on May 2, 1955, Donny attended Milbridge Grammar School, graduated from Narraguagus High School in 1973 and attended University of Maine Presque Isle. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1976 and received an honorable discharge as an Aviation Ordinance Petty Officer, Second Class. Following his discharge, he worked for a Converse distributorship and was self-employed.
In November 1987, Donny was severely injured in a single car accident, becoming a C5 – C6 quadriplegic. Following months of hospitalization and rehabilitation, Donny lived independently in Bangor. He viewed every obstacle as a challenge, never complaining.
A standout athlete in high school with a competitive spirit, Donny was a founding member of Maine’s first competitive wheelchair rugby team, the Maine Roadrunners, in the early 1990’s. This affiliation allowed Donny opportunities to travel the US and Canada, competing in numerous tournaments and hosting local exhibitions for over twenty years. This also presented him an opportunity to assist fundraising efforts for a multipurpose athletic field at his hometown grammar school in Milbridge. The community honored his efforts by naming the field after him, “Wright Field”, a tribute he cherished with pride.
Donny is survived by his mother Carolyn of Hancock, ME, daughters Amy (Dan) Caldwell of Jacksonville, FL and Erin Wright of Searsport, ME; grandchildren Sarah Rowell of Yulee, FL., Danielle and Carolyn Caldwell of Jacksonville, FL, and Benjamin Curtis of Orland, ME; brother Jeff (Melody) Wright of Ellsworth, ME; nieces Courtney (Jacob) Taylor of Ellsworth, ME and Cristin Wright of Wanaque, NJ; uncle George Joy of Jax, FL; special cousins Carol (Tom) Zack, Portland, ME; Sue (Buddy) Mills, Jonesport, ME; Barry (Rita) Joy, Jax, FL; Mark (Joanne) Smith, Harwich, MA; Scott (Sandy) Joy, Jax, FL; Chris (Pam) Smith, Jonesport, ME; and Anthony (Felicia) Joy, Jax, FL; and great nephews Lucas and Camden Taylor, Ellsworth, ME.
He was predeceased by his infant daughter Jill, father Donald K. Wright, Sr., aunt’s Joan Joy and Sally Smith, uncle Robert Smith and cousin Shawn Joy.
The family wishes to give special thanks to all the family, friends, the rugger community, professional healthcare professionals and services who aided in Donny’s medical care, physical rehabilitation and enrichment of his quality of life. Graveside services will be held 1 pm Thursday July 21, 2022 at Evergreen Cemetery, Milbridge
Milbridge, ME and Jacksonville, FL – Donald K. Wright, Jr., son of Carolyn and the late Donald K. Wright, Sr., passed away Monday, June 13, 2022 from multiple health issues caused by 35 years of quadriplegia.
Born in Jonesport, ME on May 2, 1955, Donny attended Milbridge Grammar School, graduated from Narraguagus High School in 1973 and attended University of Maine Presque Isle. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1976 and received an honorable discharge as an Aviation Ordinance Petty Officer, Second Class. Following his discharge, he worked for a Converse distributorship and was self-employed.
In November 1987, Donny was severely injured in a single car accident, becoming a C5 – C6 quadriplegic. Following months of hospitalization and rehabilitation, Donny lived independently in Bangor. He viewed every obstacle as a challenge, never complaining.
A standout athlete in high school with a competitive spirit, Donny was a founding member of Maine’s first competitive wheelchair rugby team, the Maine Roadrunners, in the early 1990’s. This affiliation allowed Donny opportunities to travel the US and Canada, competing in numerous tournaments and hosting local exhibitions for over twenty years. This also presented him an opportunity to assist fundraising efforts for a multipurpose athletic field at his hometown grammar school in Milbridge. The community honored his efforts by naming the field after him, “Wright Field”, a tribute he cherished with pride.
Donny is survived by his mother Carolyn of Hancock, ME, daughters Amy (Dan) Caldwell of Jacksonville, FL and Erin Wright of Searsport, ME; grandchildren Sarah Rowell of Yulee, FL., Danielle and Carolyn Caldwell of Jacksonville, FL, and Benjamin Curtis of Orland, ME; brother Jeff (Melody) Wright of Ellsworth, ME; nieces Courtney (Jacob) Taylor of Ellsworth, ME and Cristin Wright of Wanaque, NJ; uncle George Joy of Jax, FL; special cousins Carol (Tom) Zack, Portland, ME; Sue (Buddy) Mills, Jonesport, ME; Barry (Rita) Joy, Jax, FL; Mark (Joanne) Smith, Harwich, MA; Scott (Sandy) Joy, Jax, FL; Chris (Pam) Smith, Jonesport, ME; and Anthony (Felicia) Joy, Jax, FL; and great nephews Lucas and Camden Taylor, Ellsworth, ME.
He was predeceased by his infant daughter Jill, father Donald K. Wright, Sr., aunt’s Joan Joy and Sally Smith, uncle Robert Smith and cousin Shawn Joy.
The family wishes to give special thanks to all the family, friends, the rugger community, professional healthcare professionals and services who aided in Donny’s medical care, physical rehabilitation and enrichment of his quality of life. Graveside services will be held 1 pm Thursday July 21, 2022 at Evergreen Cemetery, Milbridge