Gary Wright

Gary Wright of Chatham passed away on July 24, 2026 knowing just how deeply he was loved by his family.

Fifty-seven years ago, Gary married Ann (O’Phee) Wright.  Although their lives led them in different directions over the years, their friendship endured, becoming one of the great constants in both their lives.  Ann passed away just four weeks ago on June 25^th.   They were the very proud parents of two daughters Kelly and Jennifer (Gary 2.0) and grandparents to Keegan and Bryden.   Gary was predeceased by his mother Jennifer (Sadowski) and his brother Michael Wright.

Anyone who knew Gary also knew this:  he loved hot rods; he loved talking about hot rods and he loved building hot rods.  That passion brought him lifelong friends from all over Canada and the USA.  Known as “Gabby Gary”, he was always the first to arrive and the last to leave at a hot rod show.  When he wasn’t touring hot rod shows, he could always be found putzing around in his prized shop.   Everyone who visited knew enough just to go to the garage.  Saturday mornings were reserved for trips to the “old boys club” at the Shady Pine where he loved dissing jokes with his car buddies.

As a dad, Gary instilled in his daughters a love of nature, boating in the summers and snowmobiling in the winter.  He filled their young lives with endless adventures and left them with many stories to tell.  He loved his girls with all his heart and was so proud of them when they in turn gave him love and nurtured him in his later life.  He kept telling them that they were “good women”.

As a husband, he and Ann spent many winters touring Florida and Mexico in some of the most hideous vehicles they could find and spruce up.  Again, “Gabby Gary” made friends wherever he went and always had a story to tell.

Gary was a special man who worked as a millwright at Navistar.  He was gifted with the ability to fix almost anything.  He had a compassionate heart for animals.  Over the years he had a few pets that each took a piece of his heart when they passed away.  His greatest joys in life were his cars, his tools, his friends and most importantly his daughters.

A private family interment will take place on Friday July 31^st in Evergreen Cemetery where Gary will be laid to rest next to Ann.  Following the interment, at 1:00 p.m., family and friends are invited to gather at Dog Day BBQ, 400 Queen Street, Chatham, to celebrate a life well lived.

For those wishing to honour Gary’s memory, donations to the Leukemia Society https://www.bloodcancers.ca/?form=donate  would be deeply appreciated, as the organization held a special place in his heart.