Cornell (Cooke) Wright

Cornell (Cookie) Wright, 67, of Windsor, Connecticut passed away on April 7th 2016 after a brief

illness. He was a life long resident of the Greater Hartford area. He was a graduate of Kinsella

Elementary School, Hartford High School and attended Manchester Community College.

Cornell Wright was the son of Kenneth Wright and Anna Daniel. He is survived by children: Andre Wright, Sharmeen Wright, ex-wife Doreen Wright and his brothers Phillip Wright and Reginald Wright.

Several nieces and nephews including a special niece Catrina Priest, Lynette Wright and a

sister by marriage Renee Gary. He was predeceased by his parents, Kenneth Wright, Anna Daniel and his sister Renee Woolford. He left to mourn numerous friends and family who loved him dearly. Cornell loved his children and family dearly. He was family oriented and had a very soft spot for oppressed people. During the late 1960's and 1970's he was involved in many civil rights and grass roots organizations. He was a member of the Black Panther Party, Hartford Chapter. He ran the Breakfast Program where numerous poor children from the community benefited from a nice meal before going to school. He was committed and dedicated to this cause. He cared deeply about the poor and oppressed people of Hartford. Cornell valued education and instilled the importance of his children achieving higher education. Both his chlldren (Andre and Sharmeen) are college educated. He loved his family and attended numerous cookouts with his beloved niece Catrina Priest and his cousin Dawn McGee. He loved his brothers Phillip and Reginald. He was fond of all his cousins, among them Jackie Palmer and Kim Searcy. He returned home to Windsor after his late mom needed assistance. He and his brother Phillip lovingly cared for her and she was able to live out her final days at home. Cornell attended Mt. Calvary Baptist Church with his mom and siblings as a child. His mother instilled the importance of worship and this was able to sustain him when he was battling his illness. He was heard singing a few gospel hymns as he battled the pain. You see, he was drawing from his spirituality. Cornell had numerous jobs throughout his working life but he valued the jobs which improved the life of the poor. He enjoyed working at CRT in the Lead Prevention Program and Model Neighborhoods.

The paradox of life and death are often encompassed in the joys and hardships of life The sunrises and sunsets have been bookends to our days. The sunsets often leave one to think of the miracle of life, while the sunset, reminds us of how quickly one day can pass, how precious every moment is, and how we must not waste our time on insignificant things but seize the time, Carpe Diem. In Cornell's earlier days he often used that term Carpe Diem. Despite it all, Cornell was a loving father to his children and loved his extended family so much. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him among them life long friends Sybil and Noel Holman.

(Henry Van Dyke)