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Donald Wright, 55-year member of the Babylon Fire Department, dies
Mr. Wright was born and raised in Babylon, the son of Grace and Ralph Wright and the grandson of Sidney Smith, who was also born in Babylon. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1945-1946 and was stationed in the Phillipines. He was the co-owner of Wright Plumbing and Heating of Babylon for many years. "He was a dynamite person, a friend and a second father to my children," said John Bartow, Mr. Wright's business partner. "I don't think we ever had a fight; if we had a disagreement, we'd walk away and then come back ten minutes later and reach a solution." He and his wife Margaret (Peggy) met while the two attended Babylon High School and the couple would have celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in June. "He was not only very good looking but he was also a nice person who never said anything bad about anyone," said his wife Peggy in recalling her first- and lasting- impressions of her husband. In later years, Mr. Wright enjoyed his home near the water and would often sit on his porch looking over the Great South Bay. Friends and family described Mr. Wright as a caring person who loved his family and had a host of friends. "He was like a father and a friend to me," said his younger brother George, also of Babylon. "He was a wonderful man, a devoted uncle, a caring friend and a wonderful brother to my husband," said Mary Beth Wright, Mr. Wright's sister-in-law. Mr. Wright joined the Babylon Fire Department in 1953 and lived for many years on Wyandanch Avenue in Babylon. In 1973, he and his wife moved to Captree Island. "In the 1950s and '60s, when he lived in the Village and had his business here he responded to many fires, particularly during the day," said Babylon Village Assis- tant Fire Chief Anthony Cardalli. "He was a very dedicated volunteer." In 2003, Mr. Wright was honored for 50 years of service with the fire department at a dinner attended by his family and many friends. In addition to his wife, his brother and sister-in-law, Mr. Wright is survived by his nieces, Patricia Mahon and her husband Danny of Babylon; Stacey Fisk and her husband John of Maryland; Maureen Frantino and her husband Michael of New Jersey, and Barbara Ferrari and her husband Vic of Mount Sinai. He is also survived by great nieces and great nephews.
He reposed at the Chapey Funeral Home, in West Islip. A firematic service was held Thurs., Feb. 14. A funeral service was held at the funeral home on Fri., Feb. 15, with the Rev. Lange of United Methodist Church of Babylon officiating. Burial followed in Pinelawn Memorial Park, Pinelawn.
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