Clarence L. Wright, Jr.

Clarence Wright Jr. of Meadowview Village, Harrisburg, PA, passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side at the age of 92 on January 10, 2025.

Known to friends and loved ones as “JR”, he was a 1950 graduate of Harrisburg Catholic High School and the Dale Carnegie Business School. After graduation he was employed by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation in Steelton, PA. He was drafted into the US Army in December 1952 during the Korean War, and underwent training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and Fort Lewis, Washington. He served overseas as a tank driver with the 1st Calvary Division. He was later stationed in Hokkaido, Japan, and returned home in 1955.

Upon returning home he became a Machinist at Bethlehem Steel, as well as a Safety Officer. He moved to US Steel in Shiremanstown, PA as a Foreman in the Structural Steel Department, where he was privileged to be on the team that fabricated the Unisphere globe for the 1964 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, NY. That sphere is still standing today and his signature is among those on the inside of the structure.

JR was later employed by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in the Safety Department. He rose to the position of Director of Safety for the Turnpike Commission, and was the founder of the Turnpike Safety Patrol Program. He also was a member of the National Safety Council’s Highway Safety Coalition, where he worked with Safety Directors from various states to promote highway safety.

JR’s first love was his family. He met his future wife, Mary “Tootsie” Panza in 1955 when they were both living with their families in Steelton, PA. They were married in 1956, and remained married for a blessed 68 years. They had three sons: Dennis, Christopher, and Robert.

After moving to Rutherford, JR and Tootsie both became active in the Rutherford Youth Club. He coached youth football, baseball, and basketball, and Tootsie coached girls’ softball. With the assistance of Representative Rudy Dininni, a new Youth Club building was constructed and athletic fields were upgraded. Along with close friend Skip Weideman, Herb Stepp, and several others, they established the first girls’ softball program for the suburban Harrisburg area. Their generation served as great role models for the many youths who passed through the Rutherford Youth Club, and it made him very happy when those kids would remember him later as adults.

JR was an active leader in his church. He served as the Blood Bank Chairman at St. Ann’s Parish in Steelton, and donated over 175 pints of blood to the American Red Cross. He also was a lector and managed the spaghetti dinners and bingo at both St Ann’s and Prince of Peace. JR also enjoyed volunteering at Prince of Peace School, where he would read to the children.

JR and family spent many happy times together in Wildwood and Stone Harbor, NJ, and later at their vacation home in Rehobeth Beach, DE. He loved to play cards, read books, and work on crossword puzzles. He enjoyed playing golf and watching Notre Dame football and was an avid fan of Ted Williams and the Boston Red Sox.

He was the son of the late Clarence L. Wright and the late Julia Gersic Wright. He was preceded in passing by his brothers Richard and Donald, and sister Jean. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Mary (Tootsie); son Dennis and his wife Corrine, grandson Timothy and his wife Skylar, and granddaughter Lauren; son Christopher and grandsons Austin and Erik; and son Robert and his wife Monica, granddaughter Taylor, and grandson Jordan and his wife Vanessa; great-grandchildren Itzel and Caieli and sisters, Cheryl Riley and her husband Marty and Patsy Dulka and her husband Len.

JR’s life was full of accomplishments, but his greatest gift was the love and compassion he brought to others, to his marriage, and to his entire family.

A viewing will take place on Tuesday, January 21 from 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM at St. Catherine Laboure Church, 4000 Derry St, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the church at 11:00 AM. The Burial Service will take place at 12:30 PM promptly at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:30 PM at The Wharf restaurant, 6852 Derry St, Harrisburg, PA 17111.