Stanley Howard Wright

Stanley “Stan” Howard Wright, age 76, passed away March 4, 2024 from the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease in Denver, Colorado. He had a brilliant mind, a memorable laugh, an illustrious career, and a love for family, life and music.

Stan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 10, 1947 and grew up in Oreland, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote, Pennsylvania. His passion for exploring and love for the sea were born at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering.

After graduating, Stan returned to Philadelphia where he earned his Master of Business Administration from Temple University and worked as an insurance underwriter. It was there that he met and married Irene in 1973, who he lovingly referred to as his “blushing bride” throughout their 51 years of marriage. The newlyweds moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where they welcomed their firstborn, Debbie and where Stan began his PhD in Economics at Georgia State University.

The new family had a short stint in Delran, New Jersey where he continued working in the insurance industry before moving to Lexington, Massachusetts, where they welcomed their second child, Douglas. While in the Boston area, Stan completed his PhD, was a Visiting Professor in Finance and Insurance at Northeastern University and worked for Data Resources, Inc. in those fields. Stan’s career then took the family to Wilmette, Illinois, where they welcomed their third child, Catherine, and Stan joined Sears, Roebuck and Co. His social aptitude and expertise in management led him to the position of President and Chairman of Sears Investment Management Company and Sears Risk Management Corporation, where he managed investments for the pensions of Sears, Roebuck and Co. employees.

Despite the demands of his career, Stan made lifelong friends everywhere he lived and made time for family road trips to visit loved ones. He also attended countless games for his favorite sports teams, the Michigan State Spartans and the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies and Flyers. In retirement, Stan and Irene spent 18 hot and sunny years on St. Simons Island, Georgia. They golfed, hosted happy visitors, and traveled the world with friends. Stan combined his love for the sea and service while volunteering with the International Seafarer’s Center at the Port of Brunswick, Georgia, where he supported cargo ship crew members from across the globe.

Stan and Irene relocated to Denver, Colorado, in 2022 to be closer to family and receive the care Stan needed in his later stages of dementia. He loved deeply and was deeply loved by all he encountered.

Preceded in death by his parents, Howard “Sid” Wright and Frances Doody Wright; Stan is survived by his devoted wife, Irene; children, Debbie Tousaw (Kirk), Douglas Wright (Rebecca Brown), and Catherine Wright; grandchildren, Kaya, Caiden, Oaklen, Sage, and Skyler; brother, Greg Wright (Sally); nieces, Sarah Falcone (Joe) and Kaitlin Barton (James); and nephews Gregory Wright (Allison) and Patrick Wright (Kathy); and many great-nieces and nephews.

The Wright family would like to extend deep thanks to the Brown family of Denver for their friendship and support, as well as the loving and expert memory care staff at Modena Cherry Creek who cared for Stan in his final weeks of life with compassion and respect.

Anyone wishing to honor Stan’s life may make a contribution to the International Seafarer’s Center https://www.seafarerscenter.org/give.html or the Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org/?form=FUNSETYDEFK