Wright, Cornell Girdner
Mar. 2, 1931 - Dec. 14, 2017
Cornell Girdner Wright, 86, died peacefully Thursday, December 14, 2017 at the Tidewell Hospice in Sarasota.
He leaves his wife of 65 years, Lida (Dunlap) Wright, his children Cornell Wright Jr. and his wife Mary; Lori Testa and her husband Nat; and Douglas Wright; five grandchildren and many friends.
Born and raised in northern New Jersey, the son of James Meador and Mildred (Shepard) Wright, he was a lifelong resident of New Jersey until his move to Sarasota in 1990.
He graduated from West Orange High School. After working as a reporter for the Long Branch Daily Record he enrolled in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), graduating in 1955. A Masters of Business Administration from Harvard Business School followed in 1957.
Cornell was a Certified Public Accountant. His career began at Ernst & Ernst in Newark, NJ. He remained with the firm for his entire career; he retired as an international partner in the New York office of Ernst & Young. Cornell was an active participant in numerous mentorships and civic organizations.
An avid photographer, he first used his skills as a reporter, and later as co-editor of the UNC yearbook Yackety Yack. In addition to photography, Cornell developed interests in sailing and skiing, all of which he shared with his family. Throughout his life he had a passion for golf, belonging to the Glen Ridge, Montclair, and Bent Tree golf clubs. Cornell lived an active life and could frequently be found running or walking the roads near home.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday January 6, 2018 at the Palms-Robarts Funeral Home, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson's, Sarasota.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park.
2 Entries
Mr. Wright was a mentor of mine. He was soo inpirational and kind that he invited me to accompany him to private real estate viewing of Kipp's Castle in Verona N.J. just after the the Bag Wan Shra Rashnishe Community vacated the castle. It was a day I will never forget.
sean duffy
January 25, 2018
Dear Lida, Lori and Cornell, Jr.
I am so sorry to hear of Cornell's passing. I am sorry we all had been out of touch for so long. My wishes and hopes are that your sadness at this time will heal. Love, Rosalie Pakenham
Rosalie Pakenham
December 18, 2017
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Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232
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Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232
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