Jay Vincent Wright

1947 - 2025

Jay Vincent Wright
05/10/1947 - 12/09/2025

Jay Vincent Wright passed away on December 9, 2025, surrounded by his family. Jay was born on May 10,1947 at Palm Drive Hospital in Sebastopol, CA, to Paul and Margaret (Daugherty) Wright.
Jay's fondest memories, as a child, were the family outings spent with the Henderson cousins and his beloved Papa Jay (John Keegan Wright) at their family home on the Guerneville River.
Jay attended St. Eugene's Catholic School and Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose - graduating in 1965. Jay continued his education at the University of San Francisco. During Jay's sophomore year at USF, he made the decision (to his parents' dismay) to leave USF to join the United States Navy. Stationed in Newport, Rhode Island, Jay experienced multiple tours to the British Isles, Scotland, Italy, and Malta. While serving with the Navy, Jay married Kathryn Sandstrom of Santa Rosa, on April 20, 1968. They lived together at the Naval base with their first son, Gregory. Upon completion of active duty, Jay and Kathy moved back to Santa Rosa, where Jay continued his education at Santa Rosa Junior College. Jay transferred to Golden Gate University in San Francisco and received his BS Degree in Accounting. During this time Jay worked part-time for his father's General Contracting business, Paul V. Wright, Inc.
Upon graduation, Jay started working full-time at Paul V. Wright working as a Project Manager and Estimator. He worked closely under the guidance of his father and Chief Estimator Sid Lipton. After his father, Paul, retired, Wright Contracting, Inc. was formed in 1981 by Jay, Michael Wright (brother) and Sid Lipton. During Jay's 40 years working at Paul V. Wright and Wright Contracting, he garnered the respect of the owners, architects/engineers, and subcontractors who had the opportunity to work with Jay. Working with Jay wasn't necessarily easy; there was a heightened level of expectations from project managers, superintendents and subcontractors he worked with, but never higher than the expectations and standards he held for himself.
Some thoughts shared by colleagues since Jay's passing:
"He raised the bar for all involved. You had to work hard to keep up" (TS, SSI).
"Jay was a perfectionist when it came to the details of the job, and expected no less from his subs. Boy did I get a quick education. I can't think of anyone in commercial construction that taught me more about the industry" (KP, PBI).
"He was a force to be reckoned with." (TK, KDI).
Jay will be remembered throughout the North Bay Construction Industry as a man of the highest integrity and for his humility. His legacy throughout the North Bay Construction Industry extends beyond the buildings and projects he successfully completed; it will be carried on through the people who had the opportunity to work with and be mentored by Jay.
Some of Jay's memorable projects include:
Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) Library, SRJC Student Center, SRJC Culinary Arts Center, SRJC Petaluma Campus Expansion, Kendall-Jackson Skylane Facilities, La Crema, Stonestreet, KJ-Monterey, Cakebread Cellars, Mumm, Geyser Peak, SSU Student Housing Ph. 2, SSU Recreation Center.
Upon retirement from Wright Contracting, Inc., Jay found love in spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Papa Jay, as he was called, was adored by his grandchildren. There wasn't anything Papa Jay wouldn't do for his grandkids; they brought so much love and happiness to him. Jay's other found passion was his yard. His perfectionism and attention to detail that he had for construction/his job, he brought to his yard. He would spend hours daily in his yard and garden, meticulously raking leaves, pulling weeds, watering, pruning, etc. Perfection was always his goal. If he didn't have so many trees in his yard, it would have been easier to achieve; but Jay liked his trees and loved the work.
For Jay, his family was always his priority. His motivation for everything he did in life, was to provide for and take care his family. When it came to his son's sporting events, Jay rarely missed a game. You would find him standing down the far side of the field or in the upper corner of the bleachers, always watching intently. Jay always enjoyed the family vacations, his fishing trips to Mexico with his brothers, the golf tournaments with friends. Jay's favorite and most frequented place to visit with Kathy, was Yosemite.
Jay will be remembered throughout Sonoma County Community, for his selfless generosity and support he has provided by so many organizations and people over the years. Some of Jay's favorite organization he supported are Becoming Independent, The Children's Museum of Sonoma County, St. Joseph Health, Redwood Empire Food Bank and Cardinal Newman High School.
He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Margaret Wright, his sister, Kathleen Mary, his grandparents, John Keegan Wright and Marion Wright, and his grandmother Edna Daugherty.
He is survived by his wife Kathryn; sons Gregory, Jeff (Brandy), Scott (Kim), and Bryan (Kate); Grandchildren Gianna (Sklyer), Ella, Isabella, Maxwell, Alexander, Gavin, Sofia, and Ava; Great Grandson Westin. Brothers Paul, Tim (Helen), Michael (Katie) and John (Jane) and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Wright Family held a private gathering honoring Jay on January 10, 2026.
The Wright Family extends our deepest Gratitude to Jay's caregivers and Providence Hospice for their kindness, compassion, and dedication.
Jay was sensitive to the needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He also believed in the power of play for young children. Memorial contributions may be sent to Becoming Independent, 1455 Corporate Pkwy, Santa Rosa, 95407: The Children's Museum, 1835 West Steele Lane, Santa Rosa, 95403.