Monsignor Rupert A. Wright, 82, retired pastor of St. Gregory the Great Church, Williamsville, passed away Tuesday at Brothers of Mercy Nursing Home in Clarence.
Wright was born, Jan. 16, 1930, in Jamestown, the son of Rupert A. Sr. and Catherine M. (Barrett) Wright. He attended Ss. Peter & Paul Parochial School in Jamestown before graduating from Jamestown High School. After two years in the college of arts and sciences at Niagara University, he attended Our Lady of the Angels Seminary at the university.
Following his ordination on May 26, 1956, by Bishop Joseph A. Burke at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo, Wright served as missionary apostolate on the Cattaraugus and Allegany Indian reservations. He was assistant pastor at St. Stephan's in Grand Island (appointed in 1957), St. Mary Magdalene in Buffalo (1963) and St. John the Evangelist in Buffalo (1968), before his first full-time pastor appointment in 1975 at St. James in Westfield. Following an appointment to St. Amelia's in Tonawanda in 1982, Wright was appointed to St. Gregory the Great in Williamsville, where he served until his retirement on July 13, 2006.
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Wright is survived by his brother, Richard and his wife Carolyn Wright of Fredonia.
"Monsignor Wright was a faithful priest who was dedicated to helping to develop and grow the faith lives of others," said Bishop Edward U. Kmiec of Buffalo. "His legacy lives on through the people he ministered to, his humble example of priestly service to others and his devotion to the Catholic Church. May our heavenly Father grant him eternal rest."
Throughout his service to the priesthood, Wright was awarded several honors, including the Chaplain to His Holiness the Pope (1980); Prelate of Honor (1988); Prothonotary Apostolic (2008); Cure of Arts, Christ the King Seminary ( 1997); Humanitarian of the Year, Brothers of Mercy Nursing Home (2005); and Bishop's medal to celebrate Catholic education (2006).
Monsignor Wright will lie-in-state at St. Gregory the Great Church, Williamsville, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday; 2 to 4 and 7:30 to 9 p.m., Friday; and 9 to 9:45 a.m., Saturday before a 10 a.m. funeral at the church on Saturday. Bishop Edward M. Grosz, auxiliary bishop of Buffalo, will celebrate. Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, Jamestown.
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