John Hamil Spedden Wright

On May 9, 2025, John Hamil Spedden Wright took his last flight and is now with our Lord God in heaven. John was just shy of 91 years old. He was born on June 9, 1934, son of the late John “Jack” Wright and the late Louise Spedden Wright. He is survived by his three children: John J.B. Wright and his wife Jane of Burtonsville, MD; Julie George and her husband Ricky of Trappe, MD; and Janine Conway and her husband Tom of Queenstown, MD. He is also survived by his 6 grandchildren; Andrew, Jennifer, Annie, Katlin, John L.P. and Ryan; as well as his 3 great-grandchildren; Amelia, Martin and James.

John, locally known as Hamil, was born and raised in Cambridge, MD. After graduating Cambridge High School in 1952, he attended the University of Maryland College Park, majored in Education and graduated from the AFROTC program with a commission in the Air Force. While at U of M, he fell in love with a hometown Cambridge girl, Jo Ann Brocato. They married and had three children. JoAnn passed on April 9, 2021.

John served 16 years in the Air Force as a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot and left the service as a Safety Flight Officer at the rank of Major, to follow his calling to serve God.

He graduated the Episcopal Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA and began his ministry in Denton, MD. John continued his service for others taking up the position of Director of the Chesapeake Center, Easton, MD for 30+ years. Chesapeake Center’s mission is to assist adults with disabilities to reach their potential for independence by pursuing opportunities for housing, employment, natural supports, friendship, and community activities.

In this position he was able to engage in his favorite pastime, using his hands to build. Not only did he oversee construction of group homes and facilities for Chesapeake Center, he presented the seasonal Kiwanis Haunted Houses in Easton for four years and he assisted each of his three children to build their current homes, literally. Devoting countless weekends and weeknights, hammer in hand, he led construction of the homes nail by nail.

After retiring from Chesapeake Center, John continued his pastoral service, acting as a temporary or substitute minister for many small churches in Delaware and Maryland on the Eastern Shore. Whenever he had a long-term pastoral assignment, the first Sunday with his new flock, he would place his “Shepherd’s Crook” walking stick in the corner of the Nave. The Crook would rest there until his last Sunday Procession. The Crook had long residences at St. Phillip’s of Laurel, DE and St. Stephen’s of Harrington, DE.

Over the last few years John enjoyed his time with his grandchildren and great- grandchildren, performing Annie’s wedding, being able to attend the college graduation of Ryan last May, interactions with friends at the Easton VFW and time with his loving companion, Pat Hervey.

Graveside Service will be at Christ Episcopal Church, Cambridge, MD on Friday, May 16 at 11 AM. The family will receive friends at the home of Janine Conway in Queenstown, MD after the service. RSVP to tfconway@yahoo.com for more details and directions.

In lieu of flowers the family would like to ask that you make a new memory or send flowers to a senior in your family.