Keith Anthony Wright, 66, passed away unexpectedly on January 28, 2024 in Norfolk, VA. Keith was born March 19, 1957, to Jean and Andy Wright in Richmond VA. He was a graduate of Bowling Green Senior High and attended Old Dominion University where he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity.
Keith touched so many lives with his memorable smile, kind heart and gregarious spirit. He was an immensely proud family man who led by example and tough love along with laughter and joy. His marriage of 35 years to his wife Cathy, brought many wonderful adventures and memorable experiences to their lives. Undeniably his greatest joy was his children, Keith Anthony Jr. (Tina) and Kelly Rae (Rick). He never missed an opportunity to express how very proud he was of their achievements.
Keith was a carpenter by trade and found his love for fixing and making things by working alongside his beloved grandfather, Punk. He formed his own company, Wrightway Construction and was in business for himself for over 27 years. His reputation for honesty and integrity was a testament to the type of businessman he strived to be. Keith was a true master of his craft where he worked not only with his hands but his heart as well – a genuine artist.
Undeniably, Keith’s greatest love was RUGBY. His career began in the spring of 1976 and spanned over 35 years. He was “all in” from the start and always found true happiness either playing, watching, teaching, or talking about rugby. His accomplishments allowed him to experience travel, both national and internationally, and to meet so many dear friends along the way. He received numerous awards over his many years of play including the Norfolk Blues Rugby Hall of Fame and the Commonwealth of Virginia Rugby Hall of Fame. One of his greatest pleasures was creating memories – and there were many to be made.
In addition to his wife, and two children, left to cherish his memory are sisters Karen, Rene and Bernadette (Derrick), brother, Kevin (Diane), cousin Gwen, a host of nieces and nephews, as well as an enormous circle of loving family and friends.
“… where there is Love there is a smile,
Oh, blest are they who walk in love,
They also walk with God above.”
Condolences(35)-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Previous Bernice H. Williams
Next Kenneth McDaniel Johnson
Personal Service, Peace of Mind, Pleasant Memories
© Metropolitan Funeral Service
tim trivette says
January 31, 2024 at 10:21 pmGood friend, Great rugby player, and even Greater Man. Rest in Peace, my Brother. Until we meet again.
Eric Hagen says
February 1, 2024 at 9:58 amAlways saw him smiling. One of the first to make me feel welcome with the Blues when he hosted the Oyster Roast. Always loved seeing him on the sidelines, BSing at the socials, & helping with the high school team. Rest in Peace, Keith and love to the Wright family, by blood and otherwise.
Carla Harrell says
February 1, 2024 at 10:50 amKeith always had a smile for everyone and supported his rugby mates on and off the field.
He was definitely one of a kind and will be missed.
Anita Sager says
February 1, 2024 at 11:51 amI didn’t think anything would ever slow Keith down as he was always doing something. I live across the street and there will be a “gap” in the neighborhood. I especially enjoyed watching him cut his large yard in stages, although I couldn’t get him to do mine.
Rest in peace and condolences to his family.
Vickye Williams Lipscomb says
February 6, 2024 at 4:06 pmI send my deepest and sincerest condolences with my most heartfelt prayers to the WRIGHT family. May GOD BLESS you at a time such as this.
Keith was one of my best buddies throughout our Bowling Green schools we attended together. He was smart, athletic, nice, funny and easy on the eyes. Everybody loved and liked him, from the principals, coaches, teachers and students. The WRIGHT family had that kind of reputation throughout our community.
Though, we lost contact after high school graduation in 1975, I have read that he was still a GREAT MAN to the end…
Vickye Williams Lipscomb says
February 6, 2024 at 4:07 pmI send my deepest and sincerest condolences with my most heartfelt prayers to the WRIGHT family. May GOD BLESS you at a time such as this.
Keith was one of my best buddies throughout our Bowling Green schools we attended together. He was smart, athletic, nice, funny and easy on the eyes. Everybody loved and liked him, from the principals, coaches, teachers and students. The WRIGHT family had that kind of reputation throughout our community.
Though, we lost contact after high school graduation in 1975, I have read that he was still a GREAT MAN to the end…
Vickye Lipscomb says
February 6, 2024 at 4:09 pmI send my deepest and sincerest condolences with my most heartfelt prayers to the WRIGHT family. May GOD BLESS you at a time such as this.
Keith was one of my best buddies throughout our Bowling Green schools we attended together. He was smart, athletic, nice, funny and easy on the eyes. Everybody loved and liked him, from the principals, coaches, teachers and students. The WRIGHT family had that kind of reputation throughout our community.
Though, we lost contact after high school graduation in 1975, I have read that he was still a GREAT MAN to the end…
Garth Dwayne Bishop. says
February 1, 2024 at 6:09 pmA great man. Warm and caring. Always greeted you with a big smile and made you feel welcomed. He always made your day better and his team always won the Superbowl as long as it wasn’t the Patriots. He will be greatly missed. Love and prayers to his family.
Chris Porter says
February 1, 2024 at 7:44 pmHe set the standard to what it meant to be a Blue. Each time I represent the Blues I try to make sure I live up to the example he set. So many great memories on and off the pitch. God bless Kathy, Anthony and Kelli Rae in their time of mourning. Once a Blue, Always a Blue!!
Chandra Atkins says
February 2, 2024 at 11:00 amA Bowling Green Sr High School classmate and friend. My sincere condolences. Love to the family.
Forever in our hearts.
Collin and Connie Crawford says
February 1, 2024 at 9:07 pmKeith was a very nice and talented man. He always had a wonderful smile and could get a room full of people laughing in no time. We will miss him as a rugby brother and a friend!
Alan Larivee says
February 2, 2024 at 8:05 amWhat I always reminded him, that he always played great in the big, important games. When we needed it most, he was the man. I’m sure going to miss that smile…
Carl Boyd says
February 2, 2024 at 7:29 pmSince we first met in the late 1970s when he was a student at ODU, I always admired Keith and saw him as one of the kindest, loving human beings I’ve ever had the honor to know. You are deeply missed, my valued friend!
Ellen Schafer (#1) says
February 2, 2024 at 8:28 pmLet perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
Warren Johnson says
February 2, 2024 at 10:06 pmMr. President of the O’Sullivan women’s club 👏 Keith could fix and build anything. It’ll be Big N Beautiful, but you’ll Love it ❤️ “Rite Fay”. If tears could Build a stayway, N memories a Lane. I’d walk right up 2Heaven N bring home again. Fay N I take Comfort N knowing Keith is one more “Angel above us…
Evelyn P Ragland says
February 3, 2024 at 11:14 amFebruary 3, 2024
Keith has been a long term friend of our family. Condolences to his family are submitted from our RAGLAND FAMILY (Kenneth, Evelyn and Edward Jr) to the WRIGHT FAMILY. May God be with you during this time of sorrow and remain with you.
Jamie Newnam says
February 3, 2024 at 9:35 pmMy brother like no other…
The best friend of my life 40 years strong. You’ll always be Wit Me in spirit and live on within my heart and soul forever my friend. Until we meet again, 1-2-3 Blues!!!!
Gerald Kanter says
February 4, 2024 at 9:54 amKathy and family,
So sorry to hear this. Keith was a great guy. I miss our days at ODU and our adventures as Delta Sigma Phi brothers. Thinking of you.
Huey Mooney says
February 4, 2024 at 11:46 amA worthy opponent, even though we defended opposite ends of the Rugby pitch, Keith always greeted me with an outstretched firm hand shake and a smile. He appeared to have found the fountain of youth and was drinking from it daily.
Rest in peace, my friend. You will truly be missed in the Rugby brotherhood. My sincere condolences to family, friends, and all the members of the Norfolk Blues.
Matt and Becky says
February 4, 2024 at 4:47 pmOne of one.
Warm, friendly and kind with apparently endless energy. We only got to see him once a year, but that day was always among the best of the year. Our deepest sympathies to Kathy, family, and all those lucky enough to have him in their lives the rest of the year.
Mike Cathey says
February 6, 2024 at 1:24 pmI met Keith through a mutual friend. Didn’t know Keith as well as most. He always had a smile on his face and a great sense of humor upbeat and energetic. He will be missed. My sincere condolences go out to family and friends.
Steve Link says
February 6, 2024 at 3:00 pmMy heart has been hurting since I heard the news. I loved Keith like a brother. Whether it was on the rugby pitch, coaching high schoolers, or just having a beer with him on Colley Ave. He always lit up the room and brought a warmness with his sense of humor to all. There was not such thing a stranger to Keith.
My Dad looked forward to his visits to Norfolk – not only to see his grandkids and me – but also spending time with Keith and Jamie Newnam. He loved the bond that we had as friends and loved seeing me happy in their company.
There is a void that will be hard to fill in my life. But I will treasure the memories and the times we had together. Love you Keith, Kathy, Kelli Rae and Anthony!
Deborah Richards White says
February 6, 2024 at 4:36 pmMy deepest condolences to the family of Keith. We were classmates at BGSH class of 1975. One of the best. So sorry for your loss.
Cheryl Monte Mallory and Family says
February 6, 2024 at 9:23 pmOur family is sending sincere sympathy and heartfelt prayers to each of you. We are very sorry for your loss.
Joseph L Blowe says
February 7, 2024 at 10:33 amGreat Great Friend and Great Great Great Man, Totally Irreplaceable We are All going to miss Hiom
Joseph L Blowe says
February 7, 2024 at 10:33 amGreat Great Friend and Great Great Great Man, Totally Irreplaceable We are All going to miss Him
Mark Fowler says
February 8, 2024 at 11:20 amA great man.
Corey Perillo says
February 8, 2024 at 6:02 pmThinking of all who knew and loved Keith! I’m raising a glass for you tomorrow! Thank you for always smiling and bringing joy wherever you went. My deepest condolences ❤️
Mark Boozer says
February 9, 2024 at 1:08 pmI last saw Keith at our high school reunion in 2005 and recall – and now cherish – the wonderful conversation we shared. I had great respect for him, dating back to our elementary school years and continuing through junior and senior high schools. Keith’s free-spirited nature, his upbeat, joyous personality, and his commitment to marching to the beat of his own drum: these were qualities he had in childhood and that he apparently maintained and built upon throughout an eventful life. I admired him for these and much more. I was so looking forward to reconnecting with him in 2025 at our upcoming class reunion.
Offering my condolences and deepest sympathy to his family and host of friends, wishing I could be there to mourn with you this momentous loss. You will remain in my prayers.
Mark Boozer, Bowling Green Senior High School Class of 1975
(Atlanta, GA)
Doug Howlett says
February 9, 2024 at 2:43 pmWhat an amazing person, what an incredible loss. I’m thinking of Keith, his family and all of the rugby family I know is gathering today to remember him and wish I could be there. I haven’t seen Keith in many years, but the impact he had on my life from the first practice with the Blues so many years ago has left its mark to this day. I never saw the guy when he didn’t have that huge smile on his face. Through good times and moments of adversity, he wore that smile and made everyone feel better for it. We’ll miss you my friend. You made the world a much better place; you made the pitch and the party’s after the game a hell of a lot of fun.
Rhonda Quash Coats says
February 9, 2024 at 3:48 pmRemembering the good times at Bowling Green Senior High and the guy voted “most popular” in our class! Rest in Peace, Keith and condolences to the Wright family.
Cathy Meritt ( Brown) says
February 9, 2024 at 4:36 pmSo sorry to hear of Keith’s passing. Fond memories of our families spending time together. Sending my love to your family
Joe Parker says
February 17, 2024 at 8:10 amI will ALWAYS remember Keith’s smile! When the Caroline schools first integrated, his was one of the first smiling faces I saw. Keith was a gifted athlete but he didn’t brag or make you feel bad if you weren’t! Keith was also smart! Unlike many gifted athletes, he took school seriously and worked hard to do better. But I will always cherish his friendship and that wonderful smile that was always there. I consider myself very lucky to have known Keith and my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. Thanks for sharing him with us!
Dina Fly says
February 29, 2024 at 1:51 pmI send my deepest and sincerest condolences to the Wright family. Growing up across the street I know the impact Keith Wright had on Norfolk and beyond. He will be dearly, dearly missed by all the lives he’s touched. He was always a light in the neighborhood and to the community.
Prue and Mike Salasky says
March 18, 2024 at 11:22 amDear Wright family, I just learned this terrible, shocking news. Mike and I are devastated to hear this. Keith did several jobs around our house over the years, most recently doing a superb patch-up job on a very knotty kitchen floor problem last fall. He talked with relish about looking forward to retirement in the coming year or so. He was incredibly skilled. So thoughtful, kind, fun — but you all know that!! We felt as if we knew the whole family – he was so proud and loving. We’ll miss hearing what the kids are up to and how Cathy’s keeping him in line. And we could even forgive him that his sport was rugby not soccer. Wow, truly an unbelievable loss. Can only imagine the depth and scope of his impact that he left such an impression on us after helping us out a few times over the years. Our deepest condolences. His memory is for a blessing. May you draw peace, strength, and consolation from having traveled alongside your beloved Keith. Prue and Mike Salasky
P 757.628.1000 • F 757.545.9148