Joseph E. Wright

            Mr. Joseph E. Wright, 71, of Milford MA, died Wednesday (October 7, 2015) at his residence after an illness, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Patricia A. (Zandarski) Wright.

            Joe was born in Gardiner ME, the son of the late Cathaleen (Burns) LaBonville and the late Lawrence Wright. He lived in Maine until his family moved to Framingham MA where he attended Framingham South High School. He left Framingham South to join the Army in 1961 and was stationed in Germany while the Berlin Wall was being built.

            After the Army, he became a certified arborist (and learned to skydive), working as a tree surgeon/arborist for over 40 years throughout the northeast. He also worked as a coal miner in Pennsylvania. Joe joined the Army National Guard in 1982, retiring from the Guard, and from his full-time job as a mechanic for the National Guard, in 2004. He continued to do tree work after retirement, climbing and felling trees well into his 60s. He lived in Milford for over 40 years.

            Joe enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, drawing, listening to Elvis and classic country & western music, and road trips with the family.

            He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patricia; his 2 daughters: Kimberly Wright of Belmont MA and Lisa Wright of Milford MA;  his grandsons: Christopher Murray of Ft. Lauderdale FL and John Wylie Jr. of Woonsocket RI;  his sisters: Joyce, wife of Paul Pickett of Milford MA and Mary Ann, wife of Dave Gladstone of Santa Paula CA; his stepson: John Wylie of Milford MA; his stepdaughter: Barbara (Wylie) Pelcak of Watertown NY; and several nieces, a nephew and several great-nieces and great nephews.

            He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Henry and John Wright, and a sister Cathleen (Wright) Wylie.

            In accordance with his wishes cremation has taken place. Funeral Services, with Military Honors, will be held Saturday (October 17th) at 3pm at the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA. Visiting hours will be held Saturday (October 17th) from 1pm to 3pm, prior to his funeral services.

            In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Salmon VNA & Hospice, 37 Birch Street, Milford MA 01757.

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