Frank J. Wright

Frank J. Wright, 91, of New Holland, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Garden Spot Village. He is survived by his beloved wife, Elaine (Smith) Wright, with whom he shared 70 years of marriage.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Frank and Grace (Madden) Wright. He graduated from Roman Catholic High School in 1952.

After one year at West Chester University, Frank served in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict as a radio man. After his military service, he returned to West Chester University and completed his BA in education. He received his MA in history from Villanova University.

Frank was an outstanding swimmer while serving his country and in college. He represented the Air Force at the 1956 Olympic Trials and was the Middle Atlantic breaststroke champion. He was an avid swimmer for most of his life.

Frank was a highly respected Government and History teacher at Henderson High School in West Chester for 40 years. He was instrumental in helping many students to gain college admission to further their education. He developed the district’s first Black History curriculum and worked with his American History Seminar students to write original-source biographies of local heroes from West Chester, including Bayard Rustin and Horace Pippin. Because of his accomplishments as a scholar of Franklin D. Roosevelt, he was invited to study at the FDR library in Hyde Park. In 1986, he was one of three finalists for Teacher of the Year in Pennsylvania.

After retirement from high school teaching, Frank was an adjunct professor of education and history at Eastern College for more than a decade.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Kim, married to Bart Cassidy of Merion, and two grandchildren, Ryan and Fiadh, who were a source of joy and pride throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Erin Grace, and a sister, Mary Dorsch.

Burial will be private in Calvary Cemetery. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, October 31 at 3:00 PM in the Concord Room of Garden Spot Village. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Frank’s honor may be made to the Benevolent Fund at Garden Spot Village. The Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland is serving the Wright family. Online condolences and memories may be posted at www.groffeckenroth.com.