The business community in the Owen Sound area is in mourning.
William Harold Wright passed away Sunday night at the Owen Sound hospital at the age of 84.
Hal Wright — who was born in Chesley — started his automotive career as a bookkeeper at Sudbury Motors.
Wright then secured a GM dealership in Elliot Lake in 1956 before he purchased the G-M dealership in downtown Owen Sound in 1962.
Wright — who was a private pilot — commuted between communities with his own aircraft.
Then in 1974 — Wright moved Owen Sound Motors to the Sunset Strip and called it Hal Wright Chev Olds Cadillac — the same location where the business bearing his name operates today.
In 2006, Hal Wright was honoured by General Motors for his 50 years in business.
He has been active in the area — through the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club and the Hospital Board.
Hal Wright is survived by his wife of 65 years, Helen, as well as three children and three grandchildren, a brother and sister.
The dealership is open today — but it will be closed on Thursday for Wright’s funeral at 11 AM At the Brian E. Wood Funeral Home.
There will be a visitation Wednesday at the funeral home from 2 PM to 4 PM and 7 PM to 9 PM.
