Dr. John Wright
NewPosted Aug 15, 2025 | 10:50 AM
Dr. John Wright passed away peacefully at Southbridge Care in Owen Sound on Saturday, August 9, 2025. John was in his 82nd year.
Beloved husband of Edith Wright (nee Ward) for 21 years. John was a loving dad to his children Jonathan Wright (Jackie) of Guelph, Patricia Sullivan (Shaun) of Sturgeon County, Alberta and David Wright (Alison) of Owen Sound, father-in-law of Shannon Wright of Guelph and stepfather of Janet McCarville (Jamie) of Manitowaning, Ontario. He was a proud grandfather of six grandchildren, Logan, Audrey, Liam, Cian, Xander, Riley and four step-grandchildren Hannah, Peter, Madison, Zoe.
John was predeceased by his parents John F. and Elizabeth (Britton) Wright of Etobicoke and his former wife Lynne Berry.
From a very young age, John knew that he wanted to be a family doctor. In 1962 he graduated with honours from Thistletown Collegiate Institute and was awarded Thistle Stick as head boy. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1968 and did a year of internship at Vancouver General Hospital. He received his license as a medical doctor in Ontario, July 1969 and spent two years as a resident at Toronto General Hospital. After his training John wanted to move to a rural area where he could provide medical services to his patients at a time when Specialists in rural hospitals were scarce.
John started his medical practice joining Dr. Ivan Jackson in Owen Sound July 1971. He was one of the founding directors of the Medical Arts Building at 850 Alpha Street. In 1992 he left the group for his own practice at Hazeldean House at 347 10th Street West, Owen Sound. During his career, he served as Plant Physician at PPG Industries. He served as Ontario Coroner for Area 3 from 1985 to 1996. He had privileges at the former Owen Sound General and Marine Hospital and later at Grey Bruce Health Services (now Brightshores) in Owen Sound. He held many positions of responsibility at Owen Sound hospitals such as Chief of Pediatrics, family medicine, and emergency department. He also established and directed the first neonatal intensive care nursery in Owen Sound.
Dr. Wright held positions in the Ontario Chapter of the College of Family Physicians, serving as President 1981-82. John was also active in the Ontario Medical Association District 3, holding several positions – District Secretary, District Chairman and was a Director for District 3 from 1994 to 2000. In 2010 he was presented with an Honorary Life Membership in the Ontario Medical Association.
Over the course of his career John had to deal with his own health issues such as necrotizing fasciitis after abdominal surgery, then a hip replacement, ventral hernia repair, knee replacement, broken wrist. He was able to empathize with his patients and their ailments. After a two-year hiatus recovering from health issues, Dr. Wright returned to work in 2004 until his retirement December 2016. Early in his retirement John and Edie spent some relaxing times at a cottage on Manitoulin until his health and mobility declined.
No service is planned at this time. Dr. Wright will be interred at Pine Hills Cemetery in Toronto with his parents. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Wright’s memory made to Brightshores Health System Owen Sound Hospital Foundation will be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Grey Bruce Cremation and Burial Services, greybrucecremation.com.
- First Name : Dr. John Wright
- Funeral Home : Grey Bruce Cremation and Burial Services, Owen Sound
- URL : https://www.greybrucecremation.com/2025/08/dr-john-wright/
