Obituary of Mark Elliot Wright

Mark Elliot Wright, was born on December 20, 1954 in Paterson NJ to the late Horace and Dorothy 

Wright. He attended John F. Kennedy and Paterson Catholic High Schools and was a graduate of 

Rutgers University. He was employed for the greater part of his life working two full time jobs as a 

social worker. He worked for the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Detention Centers, Job Corp, 

halfway houses for youth and adults in various prominent Social Work positions. He also worked for 

the Election Board. He was not a man that allowed his faults, failures or disability to reduce his 

capacity to work. He was a man that was rich in service, commitment and tenacity. One whose love 

loyalty and commitment to Christ, his daughters and son, his sister and brothers, his cousins, his 

Pastor and Apostle, church family and friends was always met. He was indeed a great provider.

Deacon Mark suffered a debilitating stroke in his later years in life, however, he allowed God in his 

weakness to be his strength resulting in his ability to serve God on an even greater level. He was 

baptized at Grace Chapel church in Paterson NJ at a young age; he later committed his life and 

service to God when he joined Family of Christ Life Center in 2001. From the moment he walked in 

the door he was a servant; however he was officially ordained as a Deacon in 2006.  Deacon Mark 

sang on the praise team, was a covenant member of the prayer team, served on servanthood, traveled 

with his pastor, gathered the men together for service, served at Woodland and Norwood nursing 

homes, was a mentor with the New Jersey Department of Corrections-Northern State Prison; worked 

daily with the After School and Day Programs at Family of Christ.

His capacity to engage people into nurturing relationships and link people together for life was a mark

of his leadership. Deacon Mark was a stand up man. A “Grown Man” as he would put it. His impact 

on his community, place of employment, worship, church friends and family was “ALL” the same. 

Great! 

Deacon Mark Wright earned the name “Big Poppa” from our youth while serving in ministry on a full

time basis at Family of Christ Life Center. He was a great man given as a gift to the body to be a 

father to “ALL” he was sent to serve. To God be the Glory for the things he has done for us through 

the life, love and loyalty of his man servant Deacon Mark Elliot Wright. 

He was predeceased by his father Horace Wright, mother Dorothy Wright.  Brother Ray Wright, 

Lawrence Wright and beloved Aunt Jenny Owen,and cousin Jihad Owens. He leaves to cherish his 

memory, his precious children, Asia Wright- Hampton (James) Zaire, Kenya and Kenyon Wright. 

Grandchildren Makiyah, Jameia, Zeyona, and Morgan. Godchildren Isaiah Townsend, Gelasia 

Franklin and Lateef Cook, siblings, Laurie Wright, Dwayne Wright and Walter Ingram. His step 

mother Patricia Wright and his cousins, Steve, Michelle, Jacqueline Mullens (Theodore), Bernard 

Drakeford., and a host of other family and friend