John W. Wright

John Wayne Wright (lovingly called Wayne by his family) passed away on August 31, 2022, on his 81st birthday. He was the only child of Elizabeth and Sterling Wright. A lifelong New Yorker, he was born in Brooklyn, grew up in Woodhaven, Queens, raised his family in Rockville Centre, and spent the last three decades of his life in Manhattan.

A proud alumnus of Brooklyn Prep, John obtained his A.B. from Fordham University and earned a master’s degree in history from New York University. In the 1960s he taught history at Regis High School in New York where he also served as Director of the Dramatic Society, a role which gave him particular joy. Although his tenure at Regis was brief, he made lifelong friends among the faculty and students, and happily attended class reunions over the course of 40 years.

John left teaching for a position as a college textbook salesman at Oxford University Press where his talents were soon recognized, and he became the editor of Oxford’s renowned publishing program in English literature and composition. He was also instrumental in developing a list in television and film studies, believing they were art forms that were worthy of study. In the 1980s, John struck out on his own to become a book packager and literary agent, publishing a series of reference books including The American Almanac of Jobs and Salaries, The New York Times Almanac (formerly The Universal Almanac) and The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge. He was a tireless and supportive agent for a distinguished group of nonfiction authors who (mostly) welcomed his straightforward advice and critiques, but who also benefited from his personal warmth, good humor, and tips about horse racing. He felt privileged to make his living in the world of ideas and to be a part of the vibrant, intelligent publishing community.

John was a man of wide-ranging interests. He was an avid, though realistic fan of the Yankees, Giants and Rangers, as well as a lover of the opera, ballet, musical theater, movies, and the American standards, but he was most interested in people. He had personal friendships that lasted for over 70 years, professional relationships that lasted 40 years or more, and he took pleasure in being a mentor and cheerleader for the young publishing professionals who crossed his path. Most of all, he was besotted by his own grandchildren, and loved watching them grow into adulthood.

John was adored and will be missed by his three daughters Jennifer McCarthy (John), Melissa Barrett (David), and Victoria Vine (Rick), as well as his fourteen grandchildren (Joseph, Jimmy, and Kelsey Barrett; Sarah, Jack, Grace, and Caroline McCarthy; Charlotte, Mae, Thomas, and Timmy Vine; and Emily, Robert, and Johnny Wright) who cherish his wit and wisdom. John was pre-deceased by his beloved son, John W. Wright, Jr. (Martha), who died on 9/11, and is survived by the mother of his children, Virginia Kelly Wright. He is also survived by his loving partner of 30 years, Ellen Chodosh, and will be mourned by her family and friends.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on September 10 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the main chapel of the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Food Bank of New York City https://www.foodbanknyc.org/tribute-gifts/

Please click link below for live streaming of the service

https://memorialstream.online/john-w-wright/