ILION – John R. Wright, age 73, of Second St., Ilion, passed away at home on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, with his loving family at his bedside. He was born October 31, 1942, in Ilion, the son of Richard L. and Bernice E. (Sweeney) Wright. John was a graduate of Ilion High School and received his Associate Degree at the Community College of the Air Force. Mr. Wright was a retired Command Chief Master Sergeant in the USAF, having served his country for thirty years from 1961 to 1991. On September 15, 1966, he was married to Heidelore (Findling) in Ilion. During his military career in the USAF he served at Lackland AFB – TX, Evreux AB – France, Rhein Main AB – Germany, Travis AFB – CA, Hancock Field – NY, Dyess AFB – TX, Scott AFB – IL, and was retired and discharged from McGuire AFB – NJ, as the Wing Senior Enlisted Advisor. His past community service includes Ilion Village Trustee for six years, Steward at K of C, Agent for K of C insurance, Administrator at Ilion Moose Club. Past memberships include the Marine Corps League, Winter Club, and Ilion Fish and Game Club. His current memberships include AF Sgt. Association. AF Association, American Legion (47 years), VFW, Ilion K of C since 1991, 4th Degree Knight (1993), and Fourth Degree Navigator, Ilion Moose Lodge member (47 years), and awarded its Pilgrim Degree in 2010, volunteer for the Ilion Fire Department since 1993 and AARP. He was also a communicant of the Church of the Annunciation. Survivors include his beloved wife, Heidi; one daughter and son-in-law, retired Lieutenant Colonel Andrea Rupp and her husband, retired Colonel William Rupp, of Delaware; son-in-law and faithful caregiver in residence, Francis Fresco; one sister and brother-in-law, Christine and Deacon Dennis Jones, of Ilion; one sister-in-law, Ulrike Findling, of Frankfurt, Germany; one uncle, Loren Sweeney, of Ilion; nieces and nephews, Eric Jones and his wife, Maura, of Stuyvescent Falls, Heather Gay, of Albany, Adam and Dawn Jones and their children, of Schenectady; several cousins; and his beloved dogs, Trixie and Layla. He was predeceased by his parents and his precious daughter, Michaela Wright - Fresco. Calling hours will be held on Friday (today), May 27, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location at 102 West St., Ilion. The Ilion Moose Lodge Service of Tribute will be held 5:30 p.m., Friday (today), and the Ilion Knights of Columbus Prayer Service will be held 5:45 p.m., Friday (today), at the funeral home at 102 West St., Ilion. Funeral services will be held 9:00 a.m., Saturday, May 28, 2016, at the Church of the Annunciation where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Paul Catena, assisted by Deacon James Bower. Graveside services and Interment will be in Armory Hill Cemetery, Ilion, with Full Military Honors by the United States Air Force. A special thank you to Dr. Mahesh Padmanabhan and Dr. Carolyn Jackson at the Donald J. Mitchell VA Clinic, Rome, and all members of the Home Base Primary Care Team. The Wright family also wishes to thank the staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital, the Hospice volunteers, and the Ilion Fire Dept. for their kindness, compassion and care. Anyone wishing to share a memory of John, or add to his online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Feed the Vets of Utica, NY, P.O. box 1, New York Mills, NY 13417, or CNY Veterans Outreach Center, 726 Washington St., Utica, NY 13502, or Ilion Ambulance, Central Fire Station, Ilion, NY 13357. Donation envelopes are available at the funeral home. John’s funeral arrangements and supervision were prearranged and entrusted to his longtime friend and Funeral Director, Don Applegate.