Scott Tasker Wright

Scott Tasker Wright, passed from this life on August 23, 2026, in Frederick, Maryland, at the age of 65. Scott was born on May 24, 1961, in Portland, Maine, to Richard Lee Wright Jr. and Althine Tasker Wright.

Scott is survived by his children, Scott Tasker Wright Jr. and his wife Jove, Nicholas Alan Palazzo and his wife Amy, Meagan Veronica Wright, Samuel Perlmutter, with whom he shared a beautiful reunion in 2019 and his wife Gretchen, Zachary Scott Wright, and Kayla Rose Paakkonen. Scott also leaves behind 13 grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sisters, Cheryl Lee Toney, and Jessica Susan Wright, Tina Beth Strout and her husband Scott and his brother Robert Allen and his wife Lynette. Also, five nieces and one nephew. Survived by his longtime companion and partner, Dorothy Eileen Gallagher, of Point of Rocks, Maryland, whose presence in his life was a source of deep love, companionship and laughter. Their devotion was unceasing.

Scott grew up in a family of military service, as his father served in the Army for many years, and the family traveled throughout the United States living in various states. The army took the family to Germany twice where Scott learned a little German. Because of those travels, Scott attended many different schools. He tried to meet new friends along the way, so he developed an outgoing spirit. Those who knew him would say ‘he has a good heart’.

When his father retired, the Wright family went back to Maine. Scott loved to see snow coming down, just waiting to shovel a driveway and spend time outside. He helped others who were snowed in too. He was the kind of person who saw what needed to be done, and he stepped forward to do it. He did not like to be idle. With his tradesman skills, Scott was ready and willing to help neighbors and friends who would call on him.

Scott enjoyed outdoor living, camping, fishing, and cooking outside. In his younger years, he was known to wade at the Potomac River in Point of Rocks, Maryland, navigating to the rocks, when the current was calm and the river was low. He enjoyed going to the beach and swimming in the ocean, even when the waves would scare most people away. Scott had a daring spirit.

At an early age, Scott moved to Arizona to learn a trade. He was very strong and had an eye for detail. When talking about his carpentry, he would often say, "I learned the angle of the dangle." He found joy in using both his hands and his mind to work.

Because he cared deeply about his craft, he provided expert carpentry skills for many custom housing projects, as well as upgrades and renovations for older homes. He also worked in Annapolis, Maryland, at a State House office building, where he was tasked with climbing to heights few others would dare to go. Having no fear of heights, he also worked as a roofer,
even owning a small roofing company in Louisiana when he was quite young.

Scott was a real go-getter. After spending time in Arizona, he traveled by motorcycle to Louisiana when he was about 19 years old. Scott was very brave indeed. While serving as a deckhand and sailor on a tugboat out of Louisiana, he experienced a life-altering moment. The aging tugboat, which pulled oil tankers around the Gulf, began to sink in the Mississippi River. Scott survived the shipwreck along with one other crew member. Blessed with agility and strength, he was a skilled swimmer. Relying on his own power and the strength of God, he
helped save his crewmate, and together they reached the shore safely.

Scott made a life-changing commitment to complete sobriety, and he maintained that battle with perseverance and grace. There were many attempts and many rocky roads, but he never
gave up. He had a great Sunday night support group in Frederick County, Maryland. His recovery was not only personal to him, but deeply meaningful to all who loved him and knew he struggled. This is a reflection of a man who chose healing, accountability, and hope. His journey reminds us that no one is beyond saving. With God’s help Scott began to realize that a new path can begin at any age. As Scripture teaches in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.”

Dignity, love, and honor marked his passing, which was peaceful and merciful. As a Christian, Scott kept his faith close to his heart. Toward the end of his earthly life, he wore Our Lady’s
Green Scapular. One of Mary’s promises was the assurance of a happy death: “Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.” His lifelong companion, Dorothy,
gave this to him to help him through his medical treatments.

Whenever they prayed together, he would bow his head in prayer. He enjoyed a warm wood fire, a good movie, and his many rescue cats, finding pleasure in spoiling and cuddling his feline friends. He also enjoyed bingo and spending time with his support group, where encouragement and fellowship helped him heal toward self-acceptance and self-love. Those who knew him best will remember him as loving, handy, and funny, with a personality that could lighten any room. He had the rare gift of making others feel seen, valued, and cared for. Even when he was very ill, Scott never complained; he remained remarkably good-natured.

Scott was grateful for his friend, Clarence. Love means action, and that was Scott's dear friend Clarence—a man who cared. When Scott was having difficult times, Clarence refused to let him falter. "Let’s go, Scott. We have to get our religion."

Scott was preceded in death by loved ones including his parents, Richard and Althine Wright and his brother, Alan Steven Wright (2018), and his good friend from Maine ‘Uncle David’ (2017). Scott rests in eternal peace, reunited with his loved ones. The mercy of God sustained him throughout life, and the mercy of God gave him hope. He was told many times from Dorothy ‘everyone loves you Scott’ and now for those who mourn him, he gives you love, courage, hope, one day at a time. Scott loved to laugh and he found joy in simple living.

A life like Scott’s teaches us that a person is not defined only by hardship, but by the courage to keep going, the willingness to change, and the love that remains in our hearts. He was a man who built things, repaired things, and, in the end, he left a legacy of endurance and grace. He had a certain quietness and calm towards the end. Scott was very intelligent, and he
measured his words. He was a friend to many.

As we remember Scott, please give thanks that his final prayer given to him by the Pastor of St. Mary’s of Barnesville, Maryland was merciful and kind that his sins were forgiven, and with a clean soul and no more suffering, the Lord would take him into the kingdom of God that his life will be renewed in heaven.

Rest peacefully dear soul. Scott’s life through miracles and a testament to our enduring spirits, show us that even with struggles, we can mend the broken, and bring hope into our lives. In
the words of Maya Angelou, “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” Scott lived that truth; may those who loved him carry peace, gratitude, faith, and love throughout their lives.