Obituary of Charles Wright

Charles Wright passed away peacefully, on November 11, 2024, with his loving family by his side. Charlie was a lifelong resident of Washington, NJ. Charlie was born on December 31, 1934, in Washington, NJ to the late Elton and Clara Wright. He was a graduate of Washington High School class of 1952. In 1971 he started Wright Fuel & Service, as well as his own fire pump maintenance and repair service. Upon selling the business in 1981, he went on to work for heating boiler manufacturer, Energy Kinetics, where he worked until his retirement in 2004. Although fuel and oil burners were Charlie's career, those who knew him, knew his passion was always the fire department. He joined the Washington Fire Department Truck Company No. 2 in February of 1956. He served as Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief and in 1980-1981, Chief. He also became a Fire Service Instructor in 1968 and served as Warren County's first Fire Marshal in 1984. Charlie's dedication over the years can be seen by the many organizations he proudly became a member of. These include The NJ State Fire Chiefs Association, The NJ Society of Fire Service Instructors, The International Society of Fire Service Instructors and The NJ State Fire College. He was also a life member of The NJ State Firemen's Association, The NJ State Exempt Firemen's Association and The Warren County NJ Fire Chiefs' Association. Charlie had been an instructor at the Warren County Fire Academy and the Chief Instructor of the Hunterdon County Fire School for 30 years. He was most proud of teaching the use of tankers to haul water to a fire scene, better known as "water shuttle". One might say the Wright family has pumper water running through their veins. Charlie, combined with two uncles, two brothers, his father and his son, Jeff, have a total of 221 years of fire service. Charlie could always be seen driving the 1942 Seagrave Fire Truck in the Washington Celebrates America Parade on July 4th and, in 2014, he was honored as the Grand Marshal. Along with his involvement and commitment to the fire service, Charlie was a musician and member of the Hackettstown Drum & Bugle Corps and Hackettstown Community Band. Besides his many accomplishments, he was very proud to be on staff at Warren Hills Memorial Home. Charlie is survived by his loving children, Jeff Wright (Laura) and Jolene Foley (Doug); his grandchildren, Lauren Umbrell (Chris), Jeffery Wright (Bea Delgado), Douglas Foley (Katherine), Patrick Foley (Kaitlyn), and David Thatcher (Stephane); four great-grandchildren, with a fifth expected in December; his brother-in-law, Robert Gibson; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Charlie was predeceased by his loving wife, Shirley, and his brothers, Ervine, A. Fletcher, and William Wright. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charlie's name to the Brian Heinrich Memorial Scholarship. 100 Belvidere Ave. Washington, NJ OR the Washington Emergency Squad. Family and friends may pay their respects on Saturday, November 23, from 9:30 AM – 12 PM at the Faith Discovery Church. 33 Brass Castle Rd., Washington, NJ. NJ 07882. A funeral service celebrating Charlie's life will begin at 12:00 pm at the church. Interment will follow at Musconetcong Valley Cemetery in Hampton NJ. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Warren Hills Memorial Home. To send an online condolence please visit www.warrenhillsmemorialhome.com