September 30, 2025, at 4:00 PM, Cecil was called home to be with the angels. He died on his mother's birthday so was welcomed into heaven with her open arms. Many other siblings and family members were happy to see him as well.
Cecil was born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin at Saint Michael's Hospital to Cecil and Velma Wright. He grew up in Hancock, Wisconsin. In his pre-teen and teenage years, he carried the Milwaukee Journal to most of the homes in the village of 365 people. Even in the rain and snow he pedaled his bike to get the papers delivered. He was an avid boy scout and as an adult was a scout leader. In high school he played the base drum in the Drum and Bugle Corp and sang in the school choir.
Soon after graduation from Plainfield High School, he joined the navy. After serving his four years, he returned to Hancock and enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in Stevens Point. After two years there, he went on to finish his education at the Madison campus. He decided there were more opportunities for him in California, so he hopped on a Greyhound bus and headed west. This decision led him to a career with McDonald Douglass in Long Beach, California. He remained as a cargo engineer there until his retirement. On July 3, 1976, Cecil married Linda Zambudio. They settled in Huntington Beach, California. Cecil joined the Catholic church and along with Linda were very active members. He was an usher for many years and for a while was the head usher.
Needing more to fill the days, he joined the Huntington Beach CERT group. This was an emergency readiness organization that provided help for citizens during extreme emergencies such as earthquakes. He served as president for a time and was proud to help. This also led him to set up a ham radio in his garage, because it could be used when other means of communication were unavailable. He loved just talking to people from all over the world on his ham radio. Cecil also had a keen interest in coin collecting and genealogy, spending many hours on a computer learning about both interests. He and Linda enjoyed many cruises. Two of their favorites were Alaska and the Panama Canal.
Over a twenty- year span, Cecil and Linda traveled to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving with his sister, Mary Bagby and family. The last several years also included sister Ann Sigourney who had moved to Oklahoma and lived next door. It was a fun time with many other family members as well.
Cecil was preceded in death by parents Cecil and Velma Wright, and stepfather, Oscar Olson, two brothers and their wives, Thomas and Beverly Wright and Richard and Norma Lou Wright, and sister Ann Sigourney and husband Frank. He is survived by his wife Linda, sister Mary Bagby and husband Jim, nephews Todd Wright, John Wright (Lydia), Gregg Wright, Robert Bagby (Libbie), Seth Bagby (Danielle), and niece, Deanna Wright, also brothers-in-law, Joseph Zambudio and Maitland Brothers. Many other family members and friends will miss his joyful attitude and loving ways.
Services will be held at St. Boniventure Catholic Church in Huntington Beach, California. His cremains will be laid to rest in the columbarium at the Good Shepherd Cemetery also in Huntington Beach. May he rest in peace.
