In loving memory of

Franklin P. Wright
May 25, 1924 - August 5, 2018

Franklin Pierce Wright, age 94, died peacefully on Sunday, August 5, 2018 at Springhouse Estates in Lower Gwynedd.

A lifelong resident of Ambler, Frank was the son of the late Thurman Michael Wright and Edith (Davies) Wright. He is the brother of the late Thurman Michael Wright, Jr. and the late Wanda (Wright)(Focht) Roeger.

Frank served his country during WW II as a Lieutenant J.G. in the US Navy. While stationed in San Francisco, he met and married his wife of 63 years, Merilyn Peterson of Eureka, CA.

The newlyweds settled in Ambler where Frank took ownership, from his father, of "Wright's Corner Store" on Church Street at the intersection of Bannockburn Avenue.

While running the grocery store, Frank began his career with the Robert Wooler Company, a metal heat treating plant in Dresher, PA. Hired as a laborer on the evening shift in 1959, he worked his way up to become President of the company. He retired in 1994.

Frank and his late wife Merilyn were active Life Members of the United States Power Squadrons, an organization promoting safe boating through education. Frank was a devoted member of the national organization receiving 44 merit marks and holding the titles of Delaware River Sail and Power Squadron Commander; District 5 Commander; and eventually National Rear Commander. He achieved the title of Senior Navigator and taught boating courses ranging from basic boating to advanced celestial navigation. Frank was also one of the top competitors in the District's navigation contests. For more than 40 years the couple spent their summers on their trawler "GAFIA" berthed in Rock Hall, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay.

At Gwynedd Estates, his final residence, Frank, an avid pool player, started a class for women interested in learning how to play pool. He was also a participant in the ACTs communities fun spirited pool player's Olympics.

After Merilyn passed away in 2009, Frank was fortunate enough to have had the companionship of a dear friend, Mary McHugh of Fallston, Maryland. For almost a decade, the couple took turns driving the two hours between their residences and enjoyed socializing with friends and family, traveling, comparing tomato plants, and playing cribbage.

Frank was preceded in death by his beloved wife Merilyn and dear son, Donald Joseph Wright. He is survived by his daughters, Sharon Downs (Janet Helms) of Wayne, PA; Dr. Bonnie Wright of Cheltenham, PA; daughter-in-law Claire Wright of Douglassville, PA; and sons Franklin P. Wright, Jr. (Sheila) of Cumming GA; and Dennis Wright (Wayne Wagner) of Philadelphia, PA; his grandchildren Daphne (Downs) Tanouye (Alex); Franklin P. Wright, III (Kristen); Elizabeth (Wright) Kahan (Jacob); Benjamin Wright-Rowan (Laura McDavid); and Christopher Wright; and great-grandchildren Gabriel and Abigail Kahan; and Otis and August Tanouye.

Friends and relatives are invited to call on Saturday September 22 after 9:30 AM at the Anton B. Urban Funeral Home, 1111 S. Bethlehem Pike, Ambler, PA. Frank's funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM.

Donations in Frank's memory may be made to Disabled American Veterans (dav.org/pp), WoundedWarriorProject.org, or to the charity of your choice and are appreciated by the family.


Tributes

Mary Anne Fry wrote on Sep 14, 2018:

"Love and prayers to all the family. I have many happy memories of boating adventures enjoyed when my two sons were growing up. Frank and Merilyn always welcomed friends to tag along."

PJ Cunningham wrote on Aug 20, 2018:

"Love you Uncle Frank! I am sure Merilyn welcomes you with Open Arms. And Phyllis, Sharon and Bessie are happy to see you and hear more of your wonderful stories ! I can hear them giggling right now! You are sorely missed. Cris and PJ"

Lorraine Urban wrote on Aug 18, 2018:

"To the Wright famiIy, I was so saddened tohear about Mr. Wright's Death. We were going to dialyis together and i miss mis so much. We would talkkk about the past, the corner store and Ambler. He was so sharp and remembered so much. We would try to make the rdover to take us to the csino insead. Lorraine Urban "

DEBBIE FRANKLIN wrote on Aug 16, 2018:

"mY FATHER, lEN McBride, WAS SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE MET fRANK AND HAVE HIM AS A WONDERFUL NEIGHBOR WHILE LIVING AT gWYNEDD eSTATES. iT WAS ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE fRANK AND MARY WHILE VISITING AND OFFER US HIS DELICIOUS TOMATOES. fRANK WILL BE MISSED BUT ALWAYS REMEMBERED AS A TRUE GENTLEMAN. oUR CONDOLENCES TO ALL THE FAMILY. "