WEYBRIDGE — Abbott Lawrence “Al” Wright III passed away peacefully at home on Feb, 10, 2021, with his beloved wife, Marian, holding his hand. Al was born to parents Abbott Lawrence Wright Jr. and Mary Lee Wright in Guthrie, Okla., on Jan. 23, 1931. Al attended Guthrie High School and proudly earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He served in the United States Air Force and Army with tours of duty in England, France, Vietnam, Germany, and around the U.S. Al loved taking to the road and going on adventures, including many fishing and camping trips with his family. After retiring from the military, Al earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
Al, a 20-year Weybridge resident, relocated to Vermont from Fort Worth in Sept. 2000 after he and Marian married. Al savored his life in Vermont and was a lover of the arts. He supported Town Hall Theater, the Opera Company of Middlebury, VPR and Vermont PBS. He loved the local restaurants and was regularly known to enjoy meals at Fire & Ice, Jessica’s, Tourterelle, Rosie’s and the Waybury Inn, and he enjoyed his favorite Stout at Otter Creek Brewing.
In addition to his wife, Marian, he is survived by his daughters Mary (Tim) Schaefer of California, and Jennifer (Trey) Allen of Texas; daughter-in-law Ekatrina Wright of Massachusetts and grandchildren Leah and Emme Schaefer and Nina and Nicholas Wright. Al was predeceased in 2017 by his beloved son Abbott Lawrence Wright IV. He is also survived by his stepson Mark (Letty) Kirkland of California, his stepdaughters Karen Kirkland Needler of Vermont and Lisa Kirkland Gadway (David) of Arizona, and his step-grandchildren Jamie Kirkland, Anna Needler, Chad Foley (Courtney), Lt. (USNavy), Ryan Foley and Capt. (USArmy) Patrick Foley (Jacqueline).
The family will forever be indebted to Dr. Linn Larson, members of the Weybridge Fire Department and the Middlebury Regional EMS for their help, kindness and compassion. They especially thank the Addison County Home Health and Hospice: Connie, Carol, Emily, Laura, and Caroline, and those angels Nikki, Heather, and Lana who regularly brightened his days with their help and unfailing cheerfulness. These skilled workers continually provided the support needed for Al to remain at home during his final illness.
Memorial gifts may be made in his memory to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, Inc., Post Office Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753.
At Al’s request, there will be no memorial or service. The family will gather at a later date to lay him to rest with his beloved son.◊