Harry Ward Wright, Jr.

H.W. WRIGHT, JR.

Saturday, June 29, 2013, Harry Ward Wright, Jr., “Hal”, passed away quietly in his sleep
with his loved ones by his side. Hal succumbed to complications from a long battle with
Alzheimer’s disease.
In the 1920’s and 30’s, Hal grew up on the sands of Newport Beach with his parents, Harry
Ward Wright, Sr. and Hazel Claire Wright. As a young boy, Hal did not find himself bored as he
explored the seashore near the family’s diner, Wright’s Quick Lunch, located next to the
Newport Pier.
Hal had a natural musical ability and quickly learned to play the saxophone. He and several of
his high school friends formed a band and, as the story goes, the band had the opportunity to
play during the intermission at a Stan Kenton concert at the Rendezvous Ballroom on Balboa
Peninsula.
Hal joined his father as a partner in the family business, the H.W. Wright Co. The now 82 year
old company began as a lumber business, and then became the “nuts and bolts” hardware
store on the corner of Newport Boulevard and Rochester Street, which has since become the
oldest established business in Costa Mesa. (If you couldn’t find it at Wrights, you couldn’t find it
anywhere.) Hal’s “claim to fame” was selling an old steam engine to Euro Disney.
Like his father, Hal included his sons in his business operations, eventually leading his younger
son to join him in his partnership. Wright’s Metals is now the custom choice for businesses
requesting “made to order” metal products.
To enhance his retirement years, Hal made several beautifully crafted wooden row
boats. For Hal’s last birthday, the family launched one of the boats in the backyard pool and
enjoyed a wonderful time of laughter and reminiscence.
Hal was an honest businessman whose values reflected his Christian faith. He is survived by his
loving wife, four children, six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be held at Harbor Trinity Church in Costa Mesa on Saturday, July 27,
2013 at 2:00 pm.