THE SHORE A.C. MOURNS THE LOSS OF LESTER WRIGHT, JR. - THE MAN WHO WORE MANY HATS.

SHORE AC FAMILY MOURNS PASSING OF LESTER WRIGHT JR.

   It is with ultimate sadness that the Shore Athletic Club family announces the
passing of illustrious teammate Lester Wright Jr.

  After a long, courageous and valiant battle with pancreatic cancer,
Lester Wright Jr., a lifelong resident of Long Branch, NJ, passed away on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.

  Over at least four decades, he had played many major roles in the sport of
track and field, and his Shore AC team,

   As a competitive runner, he was a key member of the Shore AC
Masters relay teams that raced to many successes at locales from
Madison Square Garden to Meadowlands Arena to the Penn Relays
and major meets at widespread venues.

   As a top-notch track and field official, he was well known as one of
the best in the sport.

  As a keen advocate for youth track and field development, he organized the
Cosmic Track Club, and its many members from around New Jersey amassed
an array of honors at local, regional and national Junior Olympic meets, as well as
many others.

  But perhaps his successful - and praised - role was that of organizer and
meet director of the annual Shore AC Youth Cross Country Series.  These events,
annually run on Sunday mornings, from early September to late October, typically at the classic
Holmdel Park cross country course, attracted hundreds of young runners from around
New Jersey, and sometimes neighboring states. invariably cheered on by their
parents, coaches and friends.  Multitudes of these runners were presented their
medals after each race, and many more earned the coveted Shore AC trophies,
awarded at the end of each season.

 "He did so much for so many; he played so many roles in our club's long success story,"
said Shore AC trustee Elliott Denman.  "He was a very special gentleman."

  In keeping with the Wright family's wishes, all arrangements will be private.

  He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Wright Sr. of Long Branch, NJ,
and other family members.  

   Mr. Wright Sr., now 99, is himself a Shore AC Masters star, with his epic triumph in the
Penn Relays special Masters 100-meter dash for men 75 and over some two decades ago
one of ihis many athletic successes.

  Lester Jr., of course, was there to see that happen, as were over 50,000 fans at Franklin Field 
and a worldwide television audience. There was no greater pride than that shared by
father and son that well-remembered April Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia.

  Friends, teammates and associates are invited to send messages to Mr. Lester Wright Sr.
at 4 Chelton Way, Long Branch, NJ 07740;  or by email to [email protected], or by phone to
732-222-1934.