Obituary of A. Wright Poinsett

A. Wright Poinsett, 103, of Applewood Estates, Freehold Township passed away on Friday, June 19, 2015 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Wright was born in Trenton and lived there for over 60 years. He later resided in Sea Isle City, NJ and Fort Myers, Fl, before settling in Freehold. He was predeceased by his 1st wife, Eleanor Moonon and their infant daughter, Elinor. He was also predeceased by his 2nd wife of 45 years, Edna Weiss. Wright is survived by his loving daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Gilbert Levine of Colts Neck; two grandchildren, Heather and her husband Brian Reppert; Adam Levine and his wife Monica, and three great grandchildren, Madelyn, Graham, and Tess. Wright loved being with his family and traveling with them. Wright was a parishioner of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, Freehold Township since 1991, and a former member of Blessed Sacrament Church, Trenton, where he also was a member and past president of its Holy Name Society. Wright was a former co-chairman of the Diocese of Trenton fundraising committee and served as a board member of the Donnelly Memorial Hospital in Trenton. He also served on the welfare committee appointed by Governor Richard J. Hughes. A graduate of Rutgers University, Wright was a World War II Army Veteran serving in the 80th Division, Third Army under General George Patton where he was awarded a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Award for ground combat during World War II. He was also awarded the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal. Wright was career employee with the State of New Jersey, retiring after 46 years as the Deputy Director, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (The Medicaid Program). During his career he served as Chief of the Bureau of Methods and Planning (The first computer installation of the department) and assistant Chief of Bureau and Public Assistance programs. Wright enjoyed a golf career spanned from his twenties to the age of 93, during which time he had two holes-in-one. Another favorite hobby of his was surf fishing, which he did mostly on the beaches of Cape May County. After retirement Wright and his wife Edna enjoyed several winters in their Peppertree Point condominium in Fort Myers Florida. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at 10:00 AM at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Private interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Trenton. In lieu of flowers, donations in Wright's memory may be made to Family Resource Associates, 35 Haddon Avenue, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com