Steve & Helen Moreno -
I am shocked and so deeply saddened. I had the opportunity to
speak with
both George and Barbara on Friday as I bumped into them at the
2nd St store.
George was a quite and very unassuming person but his actions
spoke
volumes. I am so grateful to have known such a great person.
He will be
surely missed by all of us. Our heartfelt thoughts and
prayers go out to
Barbara and her family.
..............................................
Gallena Quinalty -
Disbelief and shock were understatement, when I first
read your e-mail just a few hours ago. My thoughts and
prayers go out to Barbara and her family. Please let
me know if there is anything I do to help.
...............................................
Leslie Caldera -
I went on-line at home tonight to send in this race report,
and learned of George Wright's passing today. I am shocked
and depressed, especially about the reality that Barbara
must face.
My family is praying for the repose of George's soul and for
strength and fortitude for Barbara. Please keep us all
informed of anything Barbara and her family need.
......................................
Jeff Tribole -
This is another sad and tragic loss for TRH and so many
others. George
Wright was not only an Ironman, but one of the most respected
people and coaches I
have ever met. Humble, compassionate, confident, happy,
focused, always
willing to help... words don't do justice to the man that
coached Long Beach Poly
to State meet after State meet in cross country or finished
with the elite
"young guns" at the Ironman. Yet, more important than all of
that was his love
for his wife and family.
While many TRH members were working out at a Signal Hill last
summer, I was
lucky enough to sit and chat about life with George on several
Tuesday
evenings. Barbara, his wife, had just been through a battery
of tests and George was
very concerned. His eyes sparkled as he spoke of her strength
and you just
knew how proud he always was of her. He shared stories about
their plans as
well as coaching and training ideas. He told some funny
stories about his most
recent triathlon (nearly getting stuck in the mud) challenge,
training for the
Ironman, and how Barbara and his family were doing. He had a
great sense of
humor and his very infectious laugh always made me laugh as
well. George could
laugh at a funny joke and laughed even harder at himself as he
tried to
downplay his accomplishments as he often did.
Last Oct. George completed the Ironman once again, and
finished second in his
age group. He told me that next year, he was going to "get
that guy" and
proceeded to lay out his plan. Too long in the transition
areas, better
training, more speed work, a tri suit, and George, as always,
was confident yet humble
about everything. Then he laughed.
Many may not realize how great of a coach George was. His
Long Beach Poly
Cross Country teams were not only consistently rated in the
top of the state,
they were also rated very high at the national level. He took
his team to North
Carolina to race in the elite cross country national high
school races, and
always performed well there and at the Calif. state meet...so
well in fact, one
year, he had to shave his head because his time did much
better than he
anticipated at the state cross country meet. A picture made
the local paper and
the smile on his face showed that it was worth every strand.
He was always
proud of his teams.
We have all lost a very special person... and I know that I
will miss him.
My prayers for Barbara, his family, and all that were lucky
enough to know
him.....
...............................................
Wim & Mieke Sijen -
I just don,t know what to say. We are sad we are in
disbelieve and we hope that Barbara will be O.K. I know this
will be a hard time for her but all of our prayers and good
thoughts are with her
..........................................
Tommy Robles -
I actually heard the news at 2:30PM why I was on a 911
call here in Long Beach. My Firefighter engineer asked
me if I new a guy by the name of George Wright. He had
received a phone call from a friend of his that was on
the ride with George. I did not know George all that
well but I admired him for his athletic ability's and
accomplishments. He is a true inspiration and will be
missed. My condolences to his family.
.............................................
Anne-Marie & Roy Sharp -
This summer at 1/2 Vineman on July 31, 2005 I first
met George. I had seen he and Barbara at other triathlons but
had never introduced myself to either of them. I was the 1st
age group to go off and George was probably the last. As I
was heading back from the 1/2 marathon turn around, George
was speeding down the road in his Runner's High singlet. I
yelled, "Go Runner's High." At the end of the race,
I introduced myself to George and congratulated him on his 1st
place finish. As most of you know, this is the race that took
him to the Ironman World Championship on October 15, 2005.
Roy met George shortly after he had completed IM Hawaii at one
of the Tuesday night track workouts. Roy's eyes lit up at
this IM hero and a stud of an athlete at 62 years young (Roy
hopes to follow in George's footsteps and race in Hawaii some
day).
We again had the pleasure of seeing Barbara and George this
week at track. Roy greeted George with a, "Hi there, Mr.
Hawaii." George kind of shook his head and grinned. God speed
IM George. We knew you a short while, but are sure glad we
did! We are shocked, saddened and just can't believe that you
are no longer here.
May Barbara, family and friends find peace and love during
these difficult days ahead!
.......................................................
was informed of the sad news about
George Wright and have done something on our front page on it
- please keep us informed on service information and details
about those types of items please
tremendous loss - great gentleman and person
very sad----
......................................
David Goforth -
I am terribly saddened by this news.............no words can
express the
sorrow. My thoughts are with his family and especially
Barbara.
Although I did not know George very well, I did know of him
and his athletic
abilities and his unwavering care and concern for Barbara.
This is an awful
loss for all, especially Barbara. My thoughts and prayers go
out to Barbara
and her family.
..........................................
John T. & Sandye Clare -
We saw George running almost every week either in El
Dorado Park or on the bike trail as we rode our tandem
down to Seal Beach. We can't believe he could be gone.
It was obvious that he was Barbara's rock. Our thoughts
and prayers are with her and with the family.
..............................................
Laura Chaides -
I am in shock myself. This year has been a challenge for
all us.
.........................................
Wendell & Carol Keith -
Regretfully
I did not know George as well as I knew Barbara, but knowing
the fine person Barbara is, George must have been a Saint.
The written messages he contributed to this Club newsletter
about Barbara’s medical condition revealed a person who
expressed himself concisely, took the difficult issues “head
on”, and he was exceedingly positive. Our loss is Heavens
gain, and Barbara will continue to be in Carol's and my
prayers.
.........................................
Paul Kaplan -
For someone who is rarely at a loss for words, I have been
speechless to say the least these past ten days.
I'm hoping Barbara, who will miss her devoted George very
much, can muster up the strength to continue the hard fight
to conquer her battle with cancer. Barbara, Michael, Kelly
and John, and of course the sweet grandbabies, must get thru
this time of grief. I will pray endlessly for the departed
and the living as well. It's incredible how fragile life is.
We all must savor every moment of every day.
George, may you rest in peace, and to Mrs. Coach, commit
yourself to your beautiful family, which will bring you many
years of happiness and love. You have many friends who will
reward you with the support you richly deserve.
Respectfully and with love,
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, and thanks, too
for providing us with Dan Empfield's wonderful words.
................................................
Randy Smith -
It is so tragic on the loss of George Wright. Few words can
comfort his close friends and Barbara. I wish I had some
insights to these matters but I don't. I believe one copes
with it any way you can.
................................................
Alice DeLeon -
Shock is too mild, I am devastated.
My fellow members have very eloquently expressed my
feelings. I know Barb and only knew George in the context of
his support of her. While they both showed me their
daughter’s wedding pictures, and I became impressed with how
much love and support he was giving Barbara. I remarked at
what a great husband he was. What a loss for her and for the
youth he so generously gave his time to!
..........................................
Mike Morris -
The news concerning George's death has left me without
words. Unfortunately, I didn't know George that well, but he
was part of the family we all share through our involvement
in the team. We ran together a few times over the years, but
not on a regular basis. I was always in awe of George's
abilities as an athlete. Having read of George's devotion to
Barbara in her battle with cancer, I experienced the great
humility of this man. Reading the postings of others who
knew George better than I gave me a much better perspective
of this man. George will be missed by all who knew him, but
his legacy will continue to inspire us all.
My prayers go out to his family and friends.
peace and all good,
...............................
Paul Browne -
This is so difficult to write. George and I had a very
special brotherly bond as loving caregivers to our cancer
fighting wives. There is no more special bond than that,
sharing love, support, experiences, information and mutual
respect as we dealt with our wives life challenge. In this
sense, I do indeed feel like I have lost a brother. I hope
and pray that GOD gives strength to George and Barbara's
family so they can continue the care for Barbara that George
so lovingly provided.
..............................................
Judith Fischer -
Astonishing news. I only knew of George as a disciplined
triathlete, fierce competitor, and gallant husband to
Barbara as she endures her cancer treatment. Our collective
arms go around her now.
...............................................
Barbara Byrum -
I'm just sick about George Wright's passing. He was a major
role model for many of us recreational athletes, and such a
great guy. It's hard not to wonder what God's master plan is
for the Wrights. I am praying several times a day for Him to
give Barbara her health back and the strength to get through
the next few weeks.
..........................................
Nicole Maddams -
I can not believe he is gone!! Coach Wright was a wonderful
man and a great coach!! I am in such shock!! My thoughts and
prayers are with his family.
