Edward "Ned" Wright

Edward “Ned” Wright, 95, of Naples, Florida and formerly of West Springfield, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully and quietly on July 20, 2022, after a long, rewarding, and rich life. He was born February 21, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York to Edward Morse Shepard and Mabel Albertine (Sinclair) Wright. He attended West Springfield High School before transferring and graduating from Mount Herman School. After serving in the Army at the end of World War II in Italy he attended Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, where he graduated with a degree in history and was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE) fraternity. He married Jean Faye Cannon on June 5, 1954 and they remained happily married for 64 years until her death in January 2019.

After a short stint working at MassMutual Insurance Company, Ned worked alongside his father in the family’s wiping cloth manufacturing business, John R. Lyman Company in Chicopee, Massachusetts. In later years, his son, Bill, joined the company where he worked with Ned and Jean. After a long and successful career, Ned and Jean retired to Marco Island, Florida in 1994, leaving the John R. Lyman Company in the very capable and talented hands of Bill. The company was a respected member of the International Association of Wiping Cloth Manufacturers and Ned was a well-liked and involved member serving on numerous boards and committees.

Ned was active in many civic and business organizations throughout his life. He served as President of the West Springfield Lions Club, taking a very active role in establishing a permanent building for the Lions Club at the Eastern States Exposition. He also served as President of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce. In retirement, he was active in the Marco Men’s Club, eventually serving as its President.

Ned passionately pursued many hobbies. He loved playing bridge and was very skilled at it, continuing to play well into his 90’s. He also was an avid fisherman, making Jean into a “fisherman’s widow” during the very early hours of most days he was at their summer cottage at Point O’Woods in Connecticut. He had an amazing vegetable garden at their home on Cayenne Street in West Springfield and was devoted to maintaining the beautiful flower gardens that Jean was so proud of at their summer home at Groton Long Point in Connecticut. He was a lifelong, voracious reader, often finishing a book a day. He golfed for most of his life, and he loved to dance whenever he got the chance.

Those who knew him well describe Ned as a gentleman with a warm and welcoming spirit who made every gathering more fun and made every guest feel that they were part of the family. The West Springfield parties at 6 Upper Beverly were notorious, and you could always count on plenty of fun, food and drink at the big gatherings of family and friends that Ned and Jean hosted at their beach houses in Point-O-Woods and Groton Long Point. He always loved a good party! Ned had a wonderful sense of humor and liked to tell jokes or tease with short zingers that left many an unsuspecting recipient laughing hysterically, rolling their eyes, or at times, even speechless!

Ned had what everyone hopes and prays for -- a life well lived. He was one of the good ones who will be missed greatly by his family and friends. He is survived by his three children Joanne Wolfe (Dean), William “Bill” Wright (Anita) and Carole Halvorsen (Roger), his four grandchildren Colleen Wolfe, Amanda Halvorsen Brady (Mike), Allie Wolfe McGrimley (Sean) and Jeffrey Halvorsen, his great granddaughter, Faye McGrimley, and his sister, Janet Bloomfield (Jim). He was predeceased by his beloved grandson, Craig Wright.

A private celebration of his life is being planned for his family. Donations to raise awareness of the opioid crisis may be made in honor of Ned in memory of his grandson, Craig, to the Jack Jonah Foundation (jackjonahfoundation.org), P.O. Box 172, West Springfield, MA 01090.