Frank Joseph (Ferruzzi) Wright

Frank Joseph (Ferruzzi) Wright, age 83, died peacefully after fighting a good fight with
metastatic kidney cancer, on August 31, 2018 in the care of many loving people at Treasure Coast Hospice House, Ft Pierce, FL and family around him.
He was born October 29, 1934 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, the son of Frances ”Frank” William Ferruzzi and Dorothy Hazlett Steele. As a young boy they moved to Miami, Florida, where his mother remarried and Frank took on his step-father’s last name (Wright). Frank is the oldest of seven children. He has resided in St Lucie County for the past 13 years.

Frank’s love and passion for airplanes came early when he was making and flying model airplanes. His hobby won him many accolades and trophies as he competed and made the newspaper for his record- making accomplishments. His passion started his life long career as an airplane mechanic and sheet metal specialist with Eastern Airlines and later Carnival Airlines. He also created a mobile shop in a large panel van so he could pull out on the tarmac and work on any small aircraft. Frank’s hobby led him to a career he enjoyed and where he most often worked two jobs to provide for his family. His other hobbies included Ham radio, CB radio and later in life garage sales and auctions. He always thought of ways to repurpose things, but never got to realize the fulfillment of many of those ideas because he ran out of strength and time.

Many people were attracted to Frank because of his flirtatious and funny nature. He was easy going and loved to tell jokes. Everyone who knew him will remember his great sense of humor and laughter as he often laughed out loud when he “gotcha” with one of his jokes or pranks. His bright blue eyes would sparkle when he laughed. He will be remembered for his hard work and master skills as a sheet metal specialist and artisan of his craft. He mentored many and gave counsel as he answered calls from around the country until his final days. He had many friendships he maintained since high school, even ex-girlfriends and ex-wives.

He is preceded in death by his parents, step-father, and a sister Roberta Marie Lightbourne.

He is survived by his wife JoAnn Herndon-Wright of 13 years, Port St Lucie, FL. There were no children of this marriage. They were high school sweethearts who went their separate ways then married each other late in life. They were separated the last five years of his life. He is also survived by his first wife Ann “Anita” Elizabeth (Mitchell) Wright, Foley, AL, and their three children, twins Yvonne (Riley) Cooper, Foley, AL, Dianne Hendrix of Ft Pierce, FL, and their daughter Suzanne Martin, Enid, OK; his second wife Nelly Teresa Ortega and their son Kevin Wright, both of Sunrise, FL.; sisters, Dorothy Duchesneau of Dallas, TX, Anna Wright of Jackson, Michigan, Virginia Geigle of Los Angeles, CA, Kathryn Herring of Stuart, Fl; brother, Bobby Wright of Rodondo Beach, CA. He is survived by eight grandchildren Darlene (Dante) Rocco, Brenda Sim, Barbara Sim, Beverly (Lance) Buchanan, Steven “Arthur” Martin, Mathew (Brittany) Martin, Amanda Martin, Jessica (Jarred) Moore; two step-grandchildren, Slade Cooper and Jesse Cooper; eleven great grandchildren Brittany (Claudacious) Hood, Alexis LaPage, Callie Jakes, Jayden Jakes, D’Angelo Rocco, Bryson Lewis, Marley Newton, Lincoln Buchanan, Gemma Martin, Arthur “Joseph” Moore, and Luella Moore; and two great-great grandsons Christian and Makai Hood. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom he loved very much.

There will be no immediate memorial service. A private family service will be given as his cremated ashes are buried next to his sister’s family and other family members after the site is prepared.