September 4, 1946 ~ December 15, 2022
Stephen James Wright, age 76, passed away at Salem Hospital on Thursday, December 15, after a brief battle with cancer. He is survived by the love of his life Bonnie Sweet, his children Ellen Wright, Stephanie Mulroy, and Daniel Wright, their mother Joanne Wright and his sister Lynda Hersey.
Born to Anna and Albert Wright in Chelsea, Massachusetts in September of 1946; Stephen then grew up in Reading MA. He became a licensed plumber and traveled as far are Zaire Africa working as a contractor in plumbing. In 1978 he married, had three children and settled in Salem, Massachusetts; the city that would become the center of much of his life.
Steve Wright was an easily recognizable icon of the Northshore for over 40 years as he drove his “Wright & Son Plumbing & Heating” van all through our narrow streets. When not in his work truck he could be seen cruising over the old Beverly Bridge in his leather jacket on his motorcycle. He was the kind of man who loved having a regular place; the quintessential “Fonz” he always had a hangout. From Dotty & Ray’s on North St, to the original Little Italy on Cabot he would be found telling long yarns (listen, just LISTEN), drinking endless coffee (dark no sugar), and cracking one liners (Other people’s crap is a plumbers bread and butter).
Salem is the Sea, and it called to him. He lived steps from The Willows for many years and raised his kids by saying “Here’s 5 bucks for the arcade and a cone at Hobbs…then meet me down Sweeney’s at the pier” where he would be found at the tackle shop just slowly talking the afternoon away with his good friends. His passing leaves a space in the lives of his dear friends Dan Sweeney, Steve McCarthy and Phil Ward. Becoming a grandfather brought joy to his life and his six grandchildren, William, Aiden, Vaughn, Georgia, Tristan, and Joseph will all miss his sarcastic jokes and freaky stories. In his later years his most regular “hangout” was on the beach at Winter Island where he would quietly read his Bible in his black Chevy pickup with the blue flames, coffee and camel in hand. He did everything in his own style, even bible study.
Stephen’s legacy lives on both in the work of his son Dan who has taken his place as Salem’s resident local plumber as well as in his prolific photographic art. Together with his love Bonnie, he enjoyed capturing landscapes and wildlife all over New England as well as on trips across the country with her.
He was never one to pull a punch, sugarcoat the truth, or shirk a responsibility. He found faith in Christ that changed not only him, but the many people he took the time to just sit and talk with. He never rushed, but was always on time. He lived under the tenants of “Acceptance and Courage”. As Steve would be known to say “Old Plumbers Don’t die, they just go down the drain”… he spoke about death, had made peace with God, and was ready to be called Home. He just prayed for it not to hurt. He left this world and entered into eternity surrounded by the ones he loved, free from pain and with a smile on his face and many praying hands in his. His last moments were peaceful & serene; full of spoken hymns, liturgies, Psalms and words of love.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to attend Stephen’s visitation which will be held at O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM on Wednesday, December 21st from 5 to 7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations in Stephen’s memory can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis. TN 38105. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.
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