Born December 29, 1941. After a brief but courageous battle with cancer, Jim passed peacefully away on January 11, 2010 at the Health Sciences Complex. Predeceased by his parents Annetta and Willis Wright; sister, Marianne Hamilton; brother-in-law Herman Norris; nephew David-Lee Head; great nephew, Timothy Rixmann and his beloved dog Whistler. Jim leaves with loving memories his wife Elsie (nee Norris); wonderful sons: Wilfrid (Amy), Richard (Lesley) and Matthew (Krista); four precious grandchildren: Lauren, Taylor, Brody and Alexis; brothers and sisters-in-law: Ena and Lloyd Walker, Norma Norris, Vida and Frank Linhart, Mary Head, Jessie and Edward Tarry, Zelma and Don Rixmann, Emily and Tim Young and Don Hamilton; Jim’s sister’s children: Stephen (Elizabeth), Arthur (Pamela) and Patricia, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Resting at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. and on Thursday and Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service to take place on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. from Bethesda Pentecostal Church. Interment to follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation. To send a message of condolence or to sign the memorial guest book, please visit www.carnells.com.
Dr. James (Jim) Arthur Wright was born, raised and educated in Toronto. Following a Bachelors degree in Engineering Physics, a Masters degree in Physics, and a Ph.D. in Geophysics at the University of Toronto in 1968, he spent one year in Braunschweig, Germany on a NATO Post-Doctoral Fellowship. He accepted a faculty appointment at Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1969. Shortly after arriving in St. John’s, he met Elsie Norris of Mount Pearl. They were married on December 12, 1970 and raised three wonderful sons: Wilfrid, Richard and Matthew. The family moved from Mount Pearl to St. John’s in 1989. In 1993, the family started to attend Bethesda Pentecostal Church where Jim was very active in volunteer ministries. At the time of his death, he was involved in ministry to international students, served as a church board member, led a bible study group, and was on the ushering team. He had an active family life. He and Elsie greatly enjoyed traveling together. Each year since 2001, Jim and his three sons took an annual golf vacation and everyone enjoyed the stories that came out of these trips. In 2001, the daughters-in-law began to arrive starting with Amy, followed by Krista in 2003 and Lesley in 2004. 2004 was also the beginning of his wonderful life as “Grandpa;” first came Lauren (2004), followed by Taylor (2006), Brody (2006) and Alexis (2009). Jim retired from Memorial University in April 2009 after 40 enjoyable years. He has served with and contributed to many professional organizations, and was also a consultant to several local businesses. Jim was active in geophysical exploration and was the co-founder of a small oil and gas venture; he has left the earthly duties to his colleagues, while he has now embarked on heavenly exploration.