[2] After high school, he studied engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, although he left before completing his degree to join Smith Brothers and Wilson in 1947 as an apprentice carpenter.
[4] Along with his son, Lorne, Wright oversaw the company as it became the largest general contractor based in Saskatchewan, working on projects from British Columbia to Ontario.
[4] During his 12 years as mayor, Wright oversaw a period of significant investment in public projects, playing a key role in the development of the Meewasin Valley Authority, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatchewan Place, and a variety of other recreational facilities and city infrastructure.
[3][4] Wright was married to Betty and had four children - Lorne, Jack, Don, and Nancy, along with ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
[4] Wright died from lung cancer while in palliative care at St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon on December 9, 2014, aged 87.