John Patrick Wright, age 90, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2011, at Morton Hospital following a lengthy decline in health. John was born in Taunton, MA on Feb. 11, 1921. He was the son of the late John & Margaret (Grady) and the husband of the late Helen C. Wright. Father of the late Teresa Wright, brother of the late William Wright, Mary Olson. Uncle of the late John Reilly and father in law of the late Antonio Jardim. John is survived by his daughters; Donna M. Jardim and Patricia Gonsalves both of Taunton. He leaves behind one grandson Anthony John Jardim and one granddaughter Jessica Helen Gonsalves and son in law Ronald Gonsalves. His sister Frances Reilly and also survived by one nephew, Robert Olson of San Jose, CA and one niece Kathleen Rogers of Taunton. John resided most of his life in the city of Taunton. He moved from the family home on Tremont St. to reside on the campus of Wheaton College in Norton, MA. in 1972. He remained a resident of Norton, MA until his retirement from Wheaton College in 1985. John retired to his summer home in Pocasset, MA. and became a true cape codder, enjoying the company of his beloved Irish Setter, fishing and shell fishing up and down the coastline of the cape. John was a active member of St. John the Evangelist’s Parish in Pocasset, where he spent every Thursday evening working the parish bingo. He was employed as a part time meat cutter for Larry’s Market which was located in Pocasset. John resided in Pocasset until 2005 due to his failing health and then moved closer to his family. He became a resident at the Epoch Assisted Living Facility in Norton, MA and remained there for several years. Recently he has resided at the Taunton Nursing Home. John worked, as most of the youth did in the depression years as a meat cutter at a local buther shop that once stood on the corner of Winthrop and Porter St., known to all as Benny’s Market. When WWII broke out, John was drafted and spent time at a variety of camps in the United States before being shipped overseas. John was assigned to the 96th Signal Battalion. This battalion was called upon to construct, maintain and operate an intricate signal communications system in the jungle of Burma under the most severe and adverse conditions of monsoon and disease while in the face of enemy action. This organization worked to provide the highly efficient signal communications of its time, needed to make possible the capture of northern Burma. John and the entire battalion was prolonged service with combat units in northern Burma serving along side by side with the Merrill Marauders. The 96th Battalion operated telephone, teletype and radio installations along the Ledo Road, from Ledo to Myitkyina, where installations were made under intense enemy shell fire. The Meritorious service award for serving with the 96th Battalion was awarded to John on Feb. 19, 1945. After returning home from the war, John married his wife on Sept. 21, 1946 and began raising his family. He worked at Benny’s Market, before taking on the job of electronics technician at Wheaton College. He was appointed as the college’s physical plant director in the early seventies. John worked under several presidents during his tenure at the college. He retired with the title of the assistant to the Vice President of Business Affairs in 1985. John was well thought of and respected by the college community as well as the residents of the town of Norton, MA. John will always be remembered for his hands on approach in calming tensions between the college and the townspeople of Norton. John had many interest during his lifetime, gardening, raising Irish Setters, walking and enjoying people were just a few of the things he enjoyed. John was never too busy to stop and give anyone a hand with some project of just offer some kind advice. His greatest pleasure however was the spent with his family. John was a member of the Lions Club and served as Grand Knight of the Taunton Msgr. James Coyle Council#82 Knights of Columbus during the 1960’s. John will be remembered by those who knew him for his Irish eyes, big smile, generous nature and being a proud member of the greatest generation. Funeral from the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington St., Taunton, MA. 02780 on Thurs., April 14th at 10 am. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Taunton at 11 am. Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours on Weds. from 4-7 pm. Interment in the family lot in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Taunton. The family request that donations be made in John’s memory to the Taunton Nursing Home, Attention activities fund, 350 Norton Ave., Taunton, MA. 02780