Obituary of DAVID ERIC WRIGHT

WRIGHT, David Eric - With heavy hearts, the family of David Eric Wright, “Dave” announce his passing on October 1st, peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Dave lived a full life and enjoyed 87 healthy and active years. His happiness stemmed “not from what I did, but how I felt about what I did and the top-notch people I met and worked with, and from our many accomplishments.” Dave was born on May 25, 1934, in Waterford, Ontario, the youngest son of Ivy and John Eric Wright. Following high school, Dave left Waterford to attend Royal Military College (RMC), in Kingston where he completed a degree in civil engineering. Following graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Wanda, and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. During his military career, Dave was posted to a variety of stations including CFB Chatham, New Brunswick, the RCAF Institute of Aviation Medicine, Downsview and Uplands Air Force Base in Ottawa. He also spent time in Alamogordo, New Mexico at the White Sands Missile Range developing and testing ejection seats for the RCAF, and Dave had many hilarious stories related to this project. Dave aspired to teach others and began his teaching career at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute in Picton, teaching science and physics. He and Wanda moved to Burlington to raise their children, King and Anne, becoming an anchor in his neighbourhood, and ensuring a great sense of community. Dave taught for 26 years with the Halton Board, with the final 12 years of his career as Head of Science at E.C. Drury High School. In retirement Dave was not one to slow down, he was an active member of Retired Teachers Organization (RTO). As Recreation Director, he organized social events and over 20 well-attended and successful trips to the Stratford Festival. He always promised participants that he could “never guarantee the event, but he could always guarantee the company.” He was also very active in the Hiking and Walking Group of the Catholic School Board retirees. Dave never missed an RMC reunion in Kingston and met annually with his former RMC classmates. Dave cherished all his relationships with neighbours, extended family, colleagues and friends including members of the 48th Highlanders of Holland who he visited in 2018 during a trip to Europe. Dave’s favorite place was the family cottage on Hardwood Lake where he spent more than sixty-five summers. Although he thought there was “nothing better” than relaxing on the dock and windsurfing on the lake, Dave continued to teach all the kids swimming, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and windsurfing. Dave enjoyed his various cottage “projects” and over the years he and Wanda with her amazing cooking skills, entertained family and friends introducing them to their “cottage life”. Dave is survived by his wife of 64 years Wanda, his son King (Anastasia), daughter Anne (Stephen), two grandchildren Denby (Jamie) and Haley and his nephew Paul and his children Pete and Sam. He is predeceased by his two brothers Pete and Mike. Family and friends are invited to share in their memories of Dave at Thompson Mott Funeral Home in Waterford, 62 Main St. N. on Wednesday October 6, 2021 from 11 until 12:30, and a graveside service to follow in the family plot in Scotland, ON. Interestingly, Dave was born upstairs in the in the funeral home which was a maternity home in 1934. Please note due to COVID regulations attendance is limited, masks and social distancing are required. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favourite charity. Casual attire has been requested by the family. “And the wind comes up quickly sweeping us away on our own journey And that is what a good life is” From a poem written by Dave’s friend Mary Woodbury