In Memoriam: Ken Wright

Kenneth Sheldon Wright (Yechiel Selig ben Pesach v’Lila z'l) passed away on Saturday, 19^th July in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Born in Toronto, he was the elder son of the late Percy and Lila Wright.

From a young age, Ken was passionate about flying. By the time he was twenty, he had earned a commercial pilot's license and had begun a long career as a flight instructor, initially based at Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto.

He set high standards and took pride in training generations of pilots. After relocating to Dartmouth in the 1970s, Ken quickly earned the respect of the local aviation community for his depth of knowledge and exceptional skill. Despite the aircraft’s noise, he always considered the cockpit his ‘quiet space’—a place to clear his head and be alone with his thoughts.

Ken also made his mark in property and urban development in Toronto and Nova Scotia. He was especially proud of his role in developing The Colonnade, a landmark apartment, shopping, and office complex in downtown Toronto, while serving as a senior executive at the Rubin Corporation. Opened in 1963, The Colonnade was one of the first complexes of its type in the world. Architecturally, it was a critique and reconsideration of Le Corbusier’s famous Unité d’Habitation. The project was a pioneering prototype for mixed-use, high-density urban living. Its dramatic oval entrance, sculptural spiral staircase—unique at the time—and high-ceilinged retail podium with vibrant street-level integration exerted a lasting influence on the transformation of Yorkville and surrounding Toronto neighbourhoods, inspiring later projects.

Ken drew on his deep knowledge of urban development in his role as advisor to Allan Schwam and other key figures in the movement to prevent the expansion of the Spadina Expressway, thus preserving Toronto’s historic downtown neighbourhoods, including the famous Kensington Market area.

He was a softly spoken man of few words, and when he chose to use his voice, people paid attention. Ken bore a profound effect on those who knew him and will be sorely missed by family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Brenda Gorman Wright, of New Glasgow; his former wife, Marion Wright (Toronto) and their children, Debra Black (Toronto), Jonathan Wright (Toronto), and Dr Tamra Wright (London, UK); grandchildren Shannon Black, Adina Gamse, Joe Gamse, and Danielle Wright; great-grandchildren Brandon, Jordan, and Jaydon Black; niece, Sari Wright; and nephews, Dr. David Wright and Joel Wright.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his son Daniel Wright and younger brother Stanton Wright.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at Aberdeen Regional Hospital for the wonderful care he received during his final illness.

Donations may be made in his memory to  Makom: Creative Downtown Judaism. Makom is a diverse and inclusive Toronto community fusing Jewish tradition and progressive values through spirituality, learning, and culture. Their after-school programmes for children in primary and middle school provide Jewish and Hebrew education.