January 11, 2008
Paul M. Wright of West Roxbury, MA, passed away on Friday morning January 11, 2008. Beloved husband of Janet L. Horton. Loving father of Kathleen Trotta-Sidman and her husband Josh of Grafton, Tammy Aversano and Kim Howe both of Plymouth. Loving Papa Paul to Tyler, Rachael, Matthew, Michael, Miranda, Matt, Corina and J. D. Great grand Papa to Aidan, Drew and Sophia. Devoted brother of Ruth Peterson of Woburn. Paul is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
A Celebration of His Life was held in the Robert J. Lawler and Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA 02132 on Sunday, January 13th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Many relatives and friends were in attendance.
At his request, donations may be made in Paul’s name to HealthCare Nepal, PO Box 4455, George School, Newtown, PA 18940.
A significant component of Paul Wright’s life was the approximately twenty years he was involved with AWSA (American Water Ski Assn.) tournament water skiing, from approx. 1978-1997. Although he enjoyed trick skiing, Paul’s legacy is his dedicated and tireless volunteerism as a judge and driver at tournaments throughout New England. Especially important to Paul was supporting younger competitors in the Boys, Girls, Jr. Boys and Jr. Girls divisions, for whom he always had a positive comment, words of encouragement and a willingness to help whether with their skiing or the trials and tribulations of life.
He was a mainstay at Lex Carroll’s ski site in Oakham, MA, Number One Pond in Sanford, ME, Back Bay in Wolfeboro, NH and at numerous other tournaments throughout New England that always seemed to need and depend on his judging and driving assistance. There are multiple generations of competitive water skiers, whether still active today or not, whose lives were positively touched in some way by their contact with Paul.
Paul Wright was diagnosed in 2000 with Congestive Heart Failure after which he could not work and then in early 2004 with Emphysema. Paul maintained his positive attitude and continued to focus on the positive things he could do and enjoy. With the support of his loving wife Janet Horton, in 2001 Paul got a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and rekindled a love affair with motorcycling that had lain dormant for over three decades. With a smile on his face and the wind in his hair, for six+ seasons he rode his motorcycle all over the East Coast and on multiple trips west to the Sturgis, SD rally. He lived his life to the fullest and maintained that positive outlook literally to his last day with us.
Paul Wright, and his encouragement, assistance, friendship and his love of life will be missed by all those who knew and loved him. I am proud to say he was my best friend. John Zanchi
If you would like to contact his wife, Janet Horton, her information is below.
Janet Horton
60 Manthorne Road
West Roxbury, MA 02132-1505
(617) 327-4972