GRAHAM WILLIAM WRIGHT

(1941-2026) Born on January 16, 1941, in Toronto, Ontario, to parents, Jack and Hazel Wright, Graham spent his formative years in his hometown, attending what is now known as Northern Secondary School. He graduated with Honours from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Economics. One week later, on June 5, 1964, Graham married Gale Victoria Tanner. They settled in Leaside, where children, Christopher and Ashley, were born and began school, later relocating to Lawrence Park, before deciding to move to a more rural setting in East Gwillimbury, Ontario. In the over 30 years they lived there, they created a breathtaking homestead, including an award-winning horse boarding facility, and opened their home to countless rescue animals. He was a dedicated father, endlessly supportive and proud of anything and everything involving his two children. After university, Graham worked for a time at Columbia Records before practicing as a Chartered Accountant, rising to a partnership at Coopers & Lybrand, where he was instrumental in developing its business valuation practice. Applying those skills to his own life, always looking for growth and opportunity, he found his true gift and achievement through business ownership in becoming part and eventually majority owner of Agway Metals Inc. During his 30+ years involved with Agway, the company experienced incredible financial growth and success, during which he became known for being a humble, kind and fair owner. His generosity quickly transformed into extensive philanthropy, particularly in the medical sector, including the establishment of the Gale and Graham Wright Breast Health Centre at Markham-Stouffville Hospital and the Gale and Graham Wright Prostate Centre at North York General Hospital, to name a couple. He also endowed his alma mater with a significant donation in 2003, enabling its Faculty of Arts to create two annual scholarships bearing his and Gale's names. Graham was cherished by those who were fortunate to become part of his life. He was a true gentleman, down-to-earth, always dreaming of the different ways he could help or make a difference and always believed in trying to do the right thing. Many friends have spoken of his incredible wisdom and how deeply it affected and meaningfully changed their perspectives on life. Graham had a keen love for watching anything sports, but especially hockey. He was fortunate enough to have witnessed his beloved Maple Leafs capture several Stanley Cups in his younger days and his Blue Jays win two (and almost three) World Series in more recent ones. Accompanied by his son and friends, he enjoyed annual road trips to baseball games and fine dining in other cities. In his later years, he took great interest in his grandson's minor hockey league teams, attending games when able or watching them livestreamed when not. He enjoyed spending summer days at his family's Kawartha-area cottage or at his condominium in Bracebridge, armed with a good glass of wine, never missing a chance to enjoy a Weber's burger on the drive to the latter. Other of his passions included salmon fishing, the stock market and collecting Canadian art. But most importantly, "Papa G", as he was affectionately known, loved spending time with his two grandchildren, Benjamin and Brooke. Graham is now reunited with his wife, Gale, who predeceased him in 2021. He is survived and fondly remembered by his two children and their spouses, two grandchildren, and caregiver and dearest friend, Anna. A memorial service will be held at Taylor Funeral Home, 524 Davis Drive, Newmarket (905-898-2100), on Tuesday, January 13th, with visitation starting at 10:30 a.m., followed by a service at 11:30 a.m. To those who wish, donations in memory of Graham can be made to a charity of your choice or to the Gale and Graham Wright Prostate Centre, c/o North York General Hospital Foundation or the Gale and Graham Wright Breast Health Centre c/o Markham Stouffville Hospital. Online condolences may be placed at www.taylorfh.ca.