Linwood Morrison Wright

Linwood Morrison Wright – May 28, 1929 to March 30, 2013 Linwood Wright passed away at his Block Island home on Saturday, March 29 and will be sadly missed. He was born on the west side of Block Island in 1929; the son of Francis (Ball) and Leon Wright, and would have celebrated his 84th birthday in May. Linwood lived on Block Island almost his entire life, only leaving when his family moved to Newport for a short time when he was a teenager, and then again to serve his country in Korea. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1952 where he earned a Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars and a United Nations service medal. Linwood worked at the Block Island State Airport as a maintenance mechanic until his retirement, and continued to be an almost daily presence there over the years that followed. The workers at the airport became his extended family. He was an Island icon who told a great story, was quick with a joke and was known for his good-natured teasing. He was a profoundly curious mostly self-educated man who collected and shared many books over his lifetime. He was particularly passionate about health and nutrition. He took joy in being able to fulfill another’s need or feed their curiosity and would often show up unexpectedly with an unsolicited gift or leave it anonymously. He deeply loved Block Island. He is predeceased by his sister Leonore Ethel Tripler and is survived by his three children Donna Lee Stephen of Carolina, Rhode Island, Brian Edward Wright of Bangkok, Thailand, and Lorna Mae Wright of Coventry, Rhode Island, six grand children and thirteen great grand children. The family will be holding a memorial service at the Harbor Baptist Church on Block Island on Saturday, May 18th. All are welcome.