Frank Louis Wright

On May 11, 2023, Frank Louis “Sonny” Wright of Middletown, CT, transitioned to be with the Lord after a battle with cancer and a spinal injury.

He was born on July 2, 1945, in Hemingway, SC, to Thewaflor Wright and raised by his grandparents, John and Celia Wright. After a short stay in Florida with his sister Mary Frances, Frank graduated from Chavis High School in Hemingway, SC, in 1964.  Frank moved to Washington D.C. and then New York City shortly after graduation before settling in Middletown, CT. Upon moving to Connecticut, Frank started working for Pratt & Whitney while attending barber school. As he understood the importance of a great work ethic, he would work the 3rd shift for Pratt & Whitney while cutting hair during the daytime during the week and all day on Saturdays.

Frank was one of Pratt & Whitney’s most dedicated employees, working extra overtime as a machinist, successfully receiving numerous awards. He retired from Pratt & Whitney in 2011, after 47 years of service.

After graduating from barber school in 1966, Frank worked in Byrd’s Barbershop until the late 1970s when he became the owner after the retirement of Jerome Byrd, renaming it “Wright’s Barbershop”.  On any given day, the barbershop would be a place local residents and his friends would come to have political debates, share the latest gossip and local news, as well as be entertained by Frank’s many stories in between episodes of Jerry Springer and Maury Povich, which he loved to watch. He operated the barbershop, cutting hair years into his retirement, only stopping a few weeks before his hospitalization.

Frank joined Ionic Lodge No. 7, Free and Accepted Masons Inc, Prince Hall Affiliation in New Britain in the early 1970s, transferring later to the George W. Crawford Lodge No. 21 F. & A. M., Prince Hall Affiliation, Inc. in Middletown. Frank would be demitted as the Lodge Senior Warden, eventually named Honorary Past Master.

Frank understood the importance of giving back and helping others with little to get on their feet. He appreciated the family and friends who helped him in his life’s journey to success and used his experiences to pay it forward to those who came across his path. Some days he was lending his truck to help people move; some days, he was lending money to individuals in need; always, was he giving advice.

He would start working with his Lodge Brother John Jackson to give food donated by local grocery stores and restaurants to the community. He would load his truck up with meat, bread, seafood, canned goods, and frozen foods, and drive through the neighborhoods of Middletown, Hartford, Bristol, New Haven, and Meriden, giving food to anyone who wanted it.  As he became known for giving away food, residents would run out of their homes when they saw his truck; often referring to him as “the Bread Man”.

On July 1, 1967, Frank married his childhood sweetheart, Buena Wright, whom he grew up with in Hemingway, SC.  As his life partner, they would be married for 55 years and have two children, Sonya and Terrence.  As it was extremely important for his two children to have a better life, he always stressed education and made sure that they could go to school without the concern for how it would be paid.

Frank cherished his family and also enjoyed a good meal. As they were very close, his sisters and family knew very well his love of food and would spoil him with “a good eating” and fellowship, always getting together for fish frys and cookouts. He was the brother to Theodore Wright (predeceased)(Louise), Collie Isom (predeceased) (Phillip predeceased), Mary Frances Pittman Garvin (predeceased) (Frank predeceased), Velma Washington (predeceased) (Bill), Hazel Washington, Vera Gordon (John predeceased), Clayton Washington, Daniel Washington (Denise), and Donald Washington. He loved his aunts and uncles who cared for him and took him in when he moved from Hemingway, SC, with just a bag of clothes. He had a special bond with his aunt Ruthner Hilton (John predeceased) and uncle James Bell (Mazine predeceased).

Frank Wright, the loving father, brother, uncle, and friend, leaves to cherish his memory: daughter Sonya and her son Zachary, Terrence (Luz) and his sons Wynton and Myles; a host of nieces and nephews whom each have their unique bond with their “Uncle Sonny,” cousins, relatives, friends, and a community who will treasure his time with him.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Thursday, May 18, 2023, from 5:00-8:00 pm at Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown. On Friday, May 19, 2023, a viewing will be held from 10:00-11:00 am, and a Celebration of Life will begin at 11:00 am, both at Cross St. AME Zion Church, 440 West Street, Middletown—burial to follow at Pine Grove Cemetery. A repast will be held at Cross Street A.M.E. Time will be allowed at the repast for personal reflections. To send condolences, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

Friday, May 19th @ 11:00 a.m.

Frank Wright’s Funeral Service

Dial-In Phone#: (929)205-6099 

Meeting ID: 912 137 200

Passcode:  633219

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/912137200?pwd=OEZjZks3UTU0RE5kMXVDSytPS0VsUT09

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