Obituary for John "Jack" C. Wright
John (Jack) C. Wright, 89, of Pittsfield, MA passed away peacefully on May 31, 2021.
Jack was born April 8, 1932, in Westfield, MA to Charles Wright “Russ” and Gertrude (Stacey) Wright. Jack graduated valedictorian in 1950 from Westfield High School where he met Kathleen Maynard. After high school, Jack attended the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. As part of the officer candidate training, he sailed on the USCGC Eagle, a 295-foot, 3-masted barque to England, Europe and the Canary Islands. While on leave, he visited relatives in England and bought Kathleen an engagement ring in Holland.
In 1952, Jack began work as a tool maker apprentice at General Electric in Pittsfield and later that year was drafted into the US Army. On January 16, 1953, he was inducted into service and was shipped to Fort Dix, NJ for 16 weeks of basic training.
When Jack was finally able to come home for leave, he married Kathleen Helen Maynard on May 30, 1953.
After a short honeymoon, Jack was sent on a troop ship to Bremerhaven, Germany. The company commander promoted Jack to platoon leader and corporal with the US Army’s 5th Signal Corps in the 5th Infantry Division. The army utilized Jack’s knowledge of the German language to speak with locals during maneuvers throughout Germany. Jack received an honorable discharge from the Army in December 1954 and returned to work at GE.
In 1967, Jack received his Bachelor of Science at what was then known as the State College at North Adams and became an engineer for Circuits & Power Engineering with the Ordnance Systems Department at GE. Jack also enrolled in GE’s master’s degree program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to further his career.
After 41 years with GE, Jack formed his own engineering consulting company, Berkshire Associates. He worked many more years as a consulting engineer, serving several GE locations around the country.
Jack was an exceptional husband to his beloved Kathy; they were married for nearly 60 years until her passing in 2013. He, along with Kathy served as an inspiration to his three children and he always supported them in their endeavors. He was deeply engaged in the pursuits of their only grandchild, and he was overjoyed to welcome two great-grandchildren in recent years. Jack was a friend to many and brought joy to all with his generosity, dedication and high level of energy.
Jack is survived by his children, Gerard (Margaret) of Lake Zurich, IL, Geoffrey of Kirkland, WA and Lisa Coulter (John) of Lee, MA, his granddaughter, Heather Coulter Kemp (Jonathan) of Holliston, MA and his great-grandchildren, Kathleen and Wesley Kemp.
Jack was a loving uncle to Susan (Steve Oleksak), Jim (Debbie) Burt, Paul (Karen) Burt, Michael (Sherri) Burt and Dan (Laurie) Burt.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Calling hours will be from 10 AM to 11 AM on Friday, June 11, 2021 at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, MA, with a service following at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Massachusetts Audubon Society.
Jack was born April 8, 1932, in Westfield, MA to Charles Wright “Russ” and Gertrude (Stacey) Wright. Jack graduated valedictorian in 1950 from Westfield High School where he met Kathleen Maynard. After high school, Jack attended the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. As part of the officer candidate training, he sailed on the USCGC Eagle, a 295-foot, 3-masted barque to England, Europe and the Canary Islands. While on leave, he visited relatives in England and bought Kathleen an engagement ring in Holland.
In 1952, Jack began work as a tool maker apprentice at General Electric in Pittsfield and later that year was drafted into the US Army. On January 16, 1953, he was inducted into service and was shipped to Fort Dix, NJ for 16 weeks of basic training.
When Jack was finally able to come home for leave, he married Kathleen Helen Maynard on May 30, 1953.
After a short honeymoon, Jack was sent on a troop ship to Bremerhaven, Germany. The company commander promoted Jack to platoon leader and corporal with the US Army’s 5th Signal Corps in the 5th Infantry Division. The army utilized Jack’s knowledge of the German language to speak with locals during maneuvers throughout Germany. Jack received an honorable discharge from the Army in December 1954 and returned to work at GE.
In 1967, Jack received his Bachelor of Science at what was then known as the State College at North Adams and became an engineer for Circuits & Power Engineering with the Ordnance Systems Department at GE. Jack also enrolled in GE’s master’s degree program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to further his career.
After 41 years with GE, Jack formed his own engineering consulting company, Berkshire Associates. He worked many more years as a consulting engineer, serving several GE locations around the country.
Jack was an exceptional husband to his beloved Kathy; they were married for nearly 60 years until her passing in 2013. He, along with Kathy served as an inspiration to his three children and he always supported them in their endeavors. He was deeply engaged in the pursuits of their only grandchild, and he was overjoyed to welcome two great-grandchildren in recent years. Jack was a friend to many and brought joy to all with his generosity, dedication and high level of energy.
Jack is survived by his children, Gerard (Margaret) of Lake Zurich, IL, Geoffrey of Kirkland, WA and Lisa Coulter (John) of Lee, MA, his granddaughter, Heather Coulter Kemp (Jonathan) of Holliston, MA and his great-grandchildren, Kathleen and Wesley Kemp.
Jack was a loving uncle to Susan (Steve Oleksak), Jim (Debbie) Burt, Paul (Karen) Burt, Michael (Sherri) Burt and Dan (Laurie) Burt.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Calling hours will be from 10 AM to 11 AM on Friday, June 11, 2021 at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, MA, with a service following at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Massachusetts Audubon Society.