Richard G. Wright

Richard G. Wright, 89, passed away on May 21, 2022, at the Ashtabula County Nursing Home in Ashtabula, Ohio.

Richard was born on May 24, 1932, in Ashtabula, Ohio, the son of Raymond and Janet (Weir) Wright.

He graduated from Ashtabula High School in 1950 and went on to attend college at the Ohio State University and Mexico City College. Richard proudly served his country by enlisting in the United States Army where he was stationed in Korea during the Korean War.

On May 24, 1964, Richard married Betty Craft, they shared many wonderful years of marriage together before Betty’s passing in 1999.   Richard, along with his wife, Betty, owned and operated the Toppit Diner in Ashtabula for twenty-three years. Richard also worked for Ashtabula City Schools as a bus driver and in the cafeteria until his retirement in 1999.

Richard was a devoted member of the Prospect Presbyterian Church for fifty years; where he was a Deacon, sang in the church choir, and taught Sunday School.  He also served on the board of Youth for Christ, the Campus Crusade and Ashtabula Interfaith Ministry. More recently he became a member of the Edgewood Alliance Church in Conneaut, Ohio. He was a proud 32nd degree Mason.  He volunteered at the Ashtabula County Medical Center for 19 years and at the Animal Protective League.

Richard had many interests and hobbies: he enjoyed gardening, camping, traveling, tending to his rose garden and raising show rabbits.  He traveled through twenty-three states with his beloved dog, Pepper by his side.

Richard is survived by his daughter-in-law, Jean Wright, his grandchildren: Steve (Jennifer) Wright, Tom (Lisa) Wright and Shannon Gentile, and his great-grandchildren: Lily Rose (Caleb) Cibas, Jack Wright, Amelia Wright and Ian Wright; and his loving companion Sharon Meara.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Betty Wright, his sons, Michael Wright in 1998 and James Wright in 2020, his great-grandson, Simon Wright, his brother, Ralph Wright and his dogs, Pepper and Nevaeh.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, from 11:00a-12:00p with a funeral service to immediately follow at noon at the Ashtabula Home of Fleming and Billman Funeral Directors, 526 West Prospect Street, Ashtabula, Ohio. Burial will follow at Edgewood Cemetery, 4011 State Road, Ashtabula, Ohio.

Memorial Contributions can be made in Richard’s name to the Hospice of Western Reserve, 1166 Lake Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio, 44004. 

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