Celebrating the life of Calvin V. Wright of Vassar, MI who passed away on April 9th, 2026 at the exceptional age of 96. Cal was born in Cass City, MI to Beatrice and Vern Wright on July 23rd, 1929, the second of two boys. Through a childhood marked by the Great Depression, Cal developed the grit, sense of duty, and unflagging work ethic that would define his life.

Graduating with a class of thirteen from Fairgrove High School in 1947, Cal began his career at Eaton Manufacturing Company’s foundry division in Vassar, MI. His work in the foundry was briefly paused when he enlisted in the Army and served two years at Fort Hood, TX. It was during this time that Cal met the love of his life, Barbara Worcester, in Temple, TX. With a ring slipped through the box office window where Barbara worked, he made a promise that she would never want for anything. The two married in 1953 in Temple, taking off at once in his brand new ’52 Ford, northbound. Cal and Barb settled in Fairgrove, and later Vassar, MI, where they built a home and went on to raise three terrific, successful, loving children in their 55-year marriage.

Throughout his working years, Cal’s dedication to his work as the maintenance foreman at Eaton was unmatched. One case in point was his three mile snowmobile ride to the foundry to keep operations running during a major ice storm in 1975. His 37 years at Eaton proved fruitful yet strenuous enough that he was ready and able to retire in 1987 at the age of 57.

Cal was a true Michigan sportsman with a deep knowledge of the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, trapping—you name it, Cal’s done it. Above all, he was a masterful fly fisherman who inspired awe in every angler up and down the Au Sable River. He kept a simple but worthwhile diary of every fish he caught in his retirement, but he gave up no secrets to his prolific success. Later, in his mid-80s, Cal took a serious interest in beekeeping, becoming once again both a student and steward of nature. He cultivated and maintained multiple beehives into his nineties, harvesting hundreds of pints of honey through those years.

Cal was remarkably well-versed in layman’s terms across countless subjects, and his good sense, sharp wit, and tenacious memory remained intact through his final days. Cal was not particularly religious, but he wholeheartedly trusted that the Good Lord would take him when the time was just right.

Calvin is predeceased by his beloved wife, Barbara, for whom he was a tireless and devoted caregiver during her years-long decline with Alzheimer’s disease. He is also predeceased by his brother, Burton Wright. 

He is survived by his three children, Ginger Barnes (Bradley), William Wright, and Tracie LaMontagne, three granddaughters, Candice Barnes-Wackman, Brooke Wright, and Brianna LaMontagne, two great-granddaughters, Olivia and Kenadee Barnes-Wackman, and two great-great-granddaughters, Presley and Loui Barnes-Wackman. 

Kindly share a memory with Cal's family in the guestbook below.

Cal and his family are in the care of Hanlin Funeral Home - Vassar. Address: 1148 W. Saginaw Rd., Vassar, MI 48768. Phone (989) 823-8621.

Hanlin Funeral Homes ~ Serving Since 1928