Warren Grant Wright Sr.

Warren Grant Wright, Sr., 92, of Peterborough, NH, passed away peacefully at his home at Scott-Farrar on January 24, 2026, surrounded by his children. Born on November 11, 1933, in Salem, MA, he was the oldest child of Louis Grant Wright and Sarah Ethel Wright. During his childhood, the family lived in several North Shore towns, including Salem, Danvers, Swampscott, and Middleton. From an early age, Warren developed a fascination with cars and all things mechanical—a passion that would shape his professional life.

He graduated from Swampscott High School in 1952 and later attended aviation school at Boston University. Following his studies, Warren served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957, stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana, where he worked as an aviation mechanic. After his military service, he worked in Wakefield, MA, and Bridgeport, CT, for Sikorsky Helicopter as an aviation inspector. He later joined the General Electric Flight Test Center in Schenectady, NY, also as an aircraft engine inspector, before returning to Massachusetts to work at MIT as a laboratory technician in the engineering department.

Warren eventually returned to General Electric, working at LaGuardia Airport on Long Island as a mechanic on the T-58 engine. Soon after, he came back to the North Shore, where he remained with General Electric for the next 35 years. He ultimately advanced to manager in the Technical Publications Division, leading a team of technical writers responsible for the T-58 and T-64 engines. He retired in 1991.

Warren’s future wife, Barbara, was a friend of his sister’s, and the two had known each other throughout their teenage years. Although they dated other people, they often met for coffee afterward to discuss their evenings. Over time, they realized they belonged together and were married on April 20, 1958, at the Church of the Holy Name in Swampscott, MA. They shared 62 devoted years of marriage until Barbara’s passing in May 2021.

Warren and Barbara began their married life in Schenectady, NY, where their daughter was born, and later returned to Massachusetts, where their son was born. They eventually settled in Beverly, MA, where they raised their children, Susan and Grant, and lived for 28 years. Early in their marriage, Warren undertook the restoration of a 1933 Ford Model A Roadster, which the family enjoyed for many years. He and Barbara also loved traveling throughout New England and Canada in their camper.

In 1978, they purchased a farmhouse in Buckfield, ME, and upon Warren’s retirement in 1991, they moved there permanently. During their time in Buckfield, they devoted themselves to renovating, landscaping, and enjoying their beloved home and cabin on Streaked Mountain Road, while becoming deeply involved in the Buckfield community.

Warren was a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer for the Town of Buckfield, serving on numerous boards and committees. He served four terms on the Board of Selectmen, chairing the board several times, and also chaired the Budget Committee. In addition, he served multiple terms on both the Planning Board and the Board of Assessors. Warren was deeply proud of his service and held a lifelong affection for Buckfield and its people. He especially delighted in his four grandchildren, often putting them to work stacking wood—and just as often playing good-natured tricks on them.

Though they would have happily remained in Buckfield, Warren and Barbara moved to Peterborough, NH, in 2018 to be closer to their children. After Barbara’s passing, Warren adopted Smudge, a beloved cat with strikingly beautiful eyes whose companionship brought him great comfort. In 2024, he moved to Scott-Farrar, an independent and assisted living community in Peterborough, where he enjoyed getting to know the staff and fellow residents, who appreciated his dry Yankee humor. He received excellent care and attention there.

Warren is survived by his daughter, Susan Lynn Wright, and her husband, Bernhard A. Porada, of Northfield, MA, and his son, Warren Grant Wright, Jr., and his wife, Monika E. Wright, of New Boston, NH. He also leaves four grandchildren: Timothy Warren Westover of Brooklyn, NY; Brittney Claire Viola and her husband, Nicholas, of Portland, ME; Meredith Westover Scott and her husband, Brandt, of Brunswick, ME; and Colby Grant Wright of New Boston, NH. He was the proud great-grandfather of Cameron James Viola of Portland, ME.

He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Virginia Rubino of Fryeburg, ME, and Ann Rubino and her husband, Lawrence, of Kitty Hawk, NC; eight nieces and nephews; and his cousins Sally Shannon of Danvers, MA, and Ann Clark of Encinitas, CA. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Barbara, in 2021; his sister, Sally Ann Glover of Marston Mills, MA, in 2025; and his brother-in-law, Gerald Rubino of Fryeburg, ME, in 2000.

A celebration of Warren’s life will be held in the spring of 2026, with interment at Greenlawn Cemetery in Salem, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Windham County Humane Society, 916 West River Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301.

Warren lived a good life, cared deeply for his family and community, and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who knew him. His advice was always, “Live it up—but not too much,” and “Keep it under 100.”