It is with deep sadness, yet immense pride for the person he is and the life he lived, that I announce the passing of my Father, Vietnam Marine Veteran, James Lewis Wright, 78, of Newport Vt, after a long and valiant fight with several health conditions.

James was born on May 16th,1946 to the late Virginia Wright-Smith (Wilcox) & Clifton Wright in Newport, Nh, and left his body peacefully, on January 15, 2025, with his daughter, Samantha, by his side as their favorite song, "That's Life" by Frank Sinatra, played.

James is predeceased by his life partner Betsy Carter, 56, of Newport Vt, his former spouse and Mother of his daughter, Brandy Beaudry, 63, of Irasburg Vt. His parents; Virginia Smith (Wilcox) & Clifton Wright, his step-parents Eugene "Smitty" Smith & Vera Wright of Inverness, Fl and Myrtle Beach, SC. His sisters; Joyce Lajeunesse (Wright) of Clearwater Fl & Sharon Smith (Smith), 32, of Nh, His Niece Lisa's late Husband, Matt Desautelle, of Laconia, Nh, and his Best Friend, fishing buddy and Jeopardy competition, David Masse, of Boston, MA.

He is survived by his loving daughter Samantha Wright, of Burlington, and beloved grand-daughter, Audrina Wright, of Burlington. His Life Partner's children; Patrick Ushmann, of Brownington, Vt and his wife Annette, and Nathan Carter of Newport, Vt, whom he shared and enjoyed many annual canoe trips with. James is the eldest of four boys, and survived by the younger three; Ronald "Ron" Wright, who he shared significant time with during his life, of Manchester Nh, Veteran Soldier Ervin Smith of Inverness, Fl and his wife Laina, and Eugene "Gene-o" Smith Jr of Orlando, Fl, and his wife Donna. His Nephews, Ken DeGrenier, of Milton, Washington, Bruce DeGrenier, of Concord, New Hampshire, Brian Landry, of Fernando's Beach, Florida, Keith Arbor of Haverhill, Massachusetts, Ronald Strong, of Lagrange, Maine. Dustin Smith, of Orlando, Fl, Veteran of Foreign War Soldier Aaron James Wright, of Manchester Nh, Reese Smith, of Orlando, Fl, and E-4 Forward Observer Army Airborne Paratrooper Devon Smith, of Inverness, Fl. His Nieces; Michelle Perusse of Hernando, Fl, Shari Sarris (Wright), of Manchester, Nh and her husband George, Lisa Desautelle (Wright) of Manchester, Nh, Audrey Hall (Smith) and Her Husband Jon, of Scottsdale, Az, Sharon Ruby (Smith), of Inverness, Fl and her husband Samuel.

James grew up with a love for fishing, camping, cards, canoeing, boating, woodworking, picking strawberries at "Grammy Raven's" house, fast cars and baseball. He Graduated from Nashua Highschool in Nh, and enlisted in the Marines before he graduated. James served as a Combat Engineer as an M-1 rifle expert for 2 tours in Vietnam. He then served as a Military Police Officer at Camp Legeune for 2 more years. James' enthusiasm for life only increased once he returned home to NH in 1970, and he decided to live the next decade of his life in Boston, Ma, where his love for the Red Sox brought him to Fenway frequently. He loved to say "Baseball has been very very good to me!"...even when the Sox were the worst team in the league. James shared this love of camping, cards and baseball with his daughter her entire life, and frequently brought her camping on their land and took her to Fenway every year to see a game. In his mid-thirties, he took a trip from Boston to Memphremagog Lake in Newport, Vt with his friends to sail. During this trip Jim was taken to see Lake Willoughby Gap, where he became so in awe that he bought land in the area before the trip was over on the Leadville Rd in Newport Center; where MANY good times were had by friends and family. James became a bit of a local legend playing crochet tournaments at the annual Easter game with his friends, and ended up having "the Jimmy Wright move" named after him. James was adored by many because of his whitty humor and go-with-the-flow attitude. He never complained, and would instead say "it is what it is" and move along. James was a dedicated and hard worker, starting at the age of 13 in a shoe factory, and went on to own several businesses in his lifetime- notably The Down Under Pub in Newport, Vt. He eventually tired of being his own boss, and settled in at Cabot Creamery as the head of Maintenance for over a decade. He tried to retire once, when he was 67, and he made it a whole summer before he asked to go back. He finally truly retired at the age of 70 from Cabot. Jame's laughter and presence was contagious, and he will be dearly missed by all that were blessed to know him.
In Lieau of flowers, Samantha asks you to please check on your Veteran friends and family. The worst thing is for them to be forgotten. A celebration of life will be held for him at Jasper's Tavern (the old Down Under Pub) on February 15th, 2025 at 4pm. Come as you are, all are welcome; no RSVP needed. A more intimate gathering for family only will be held, with Military Honors for James, in June 2025.