Randy Wright was a passionate, giving man who was always there to answer questions and share his knowledge. He co-founded Garden Craft, a nursery business that brought joy to many people’s lives. Randy’s pride and joy were his two children, both of whom graduated from Cornell University and were elected to the senior honor society. When he was diagnosed with a progressive lung illness, he and his wife, Sandy, vowed to travel and enjoy life. Even when he had to go on 24-hour oxygen, Sandy was determined to handle his care, and they continued to have fun together. Randy passed away and was memorialized in the Norwell church he was married in, where the family heirloom, a 150-year-old silver coffeepot, sits on the altar, holding his ashes. His generosity and kindness will be remembered forever by all who knew him.
Randy Wright: A Tribute to a Beloved Gardener
Randy Wright was a man who loved shrubs and the great outdoors. He was born into the family business, Garden Craft, at Assinippi Corner in Hanover. His parents sold fruits and vegetables, and this was where Wright developed his love for shrubs and trees. After earning a college degree in landscape architecture, he returned to the family business and turned it into one of the largest nurseries in the area. Today, his legacy is evident throughout the South Shore.
Wright was a man who had a heart of gold. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed teasing people in a lighthearted way that invited them to respond. His wife and business partner, Sandy, remembered how he would say unexpected things and was always quick-witted, but never mean. He loved to make people laugh.
Garden Craft was a community institution that provided annuals and perennials, indoor plants, Christmas trees, autumn accents, wreaths with unique bows, and Easter floral arrangements. It was also the go-to place for home decorators. The indoor crafts business was the largest silk and dried flower store of its kind in New England. It offered floral design classes and showed customers what to do with the “a zillion” bows available.
One summer in the 1980s, Wright became frustrated when his tomato plants wouldn’t produce anything. His employees decided to attach some artificial tomatoes to the fruitless plants and watched with anticipation as he drove up, looked over at the tomatoes, and then looked again, bewildered by the sudden crop.
Wright passed away on January 25, 2023, at the age of 77, after a seven-year illness. Garden Craft had closed for good in 2017. Until then, Wright had sustained three greenhouses and designed and installed gardens across the South Shore, as well as at Harvard and Northeastern universities.
Rebecca Allen, a longtime neighbor and former employee, described Wright’s legacy as a community institution. He was kind, gentle, and compassionate. He had a mischievous sense of humor and loved being “in with the shrubs.” Today, his influence can be seen in homes across the South Shore. Randy Wright was a beloved gardener who will be dearly missed.
Remembering Randy Wright: A Life Lived to the Fullest
Randy Wright was a man who had a great passion for life. He was a kind, compassionate man who loved to make people laugh. Wright passed away on January 25, 2023, at the age of 77, after a seven-year illness. His legacy lives on in the memories of his loved ones and the impact he had on the community.
A Legacy of Giving
“Randy made the store like his personality: easy to get along with,” said customer Laurie Galvin. “He was just a nice, giving man who was always there and always had an answer for your questions, and something fun and cute and lovely that you had to have. It made you feel good about your house, and made it easy to seasonalize.”
Wright was born into the family business, Garden Craft, in Hanover, where his parents sold fruits and vegetables. From a young age, he developed a love for shrubs and trees. After earning a college degree in landscape architecture, he returned to the family business and turned it into one of the largest nurseries in the area. Today, his legacy is evident throughout the South Shore.
A Life Lived to the Fullest
After Randy Wright graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, he joined Garden Craft, and his wife, Sandy, became a key part of the business. She developed the crafts store, learned how to tie bows, studied floral design and gave workshops. She also did floral and Christmas designs for Talbots’ 350 stores over 20 years.
Wright was an excellent water skier and had a hilarious sense of humor. He loved to tease people in a lighthearted way that invited them to respond. One summer in the 1980s, he became frustrated when his tomato plants wouldn’t produce anything. His employees decided to attach some artificial tomatoes to the fruitless plants and watched with anticipation as he drove up, looked over at the tomatoes, and then looked again, bewildered by the sudden crop.
Wright designed and installed gardens across the South Shore, as well as at Harvard and Northeastern universities. His influence can be seen in homes throughout the area.
Remembering Randy Wright
After Randy Wright passed away, his wife, Sandy, decided to put his ashes in a special place. An 18-inch silver coffeepot that is 150 years old sits on the fireplace mantel in the Norwell home that Randy Wright designed and built in 1970. The family heirloom that had passed down through four generations holds his ashes and will someday also hold hers.
The coffeepot was on the altar at the First Parish Church of Norwell for his memorial service on Feb. 3, 2023. Randy and Sandy were married at the church on June 18, 1967.
Randy Wright lived a life filled with love, laughter, and joy. His legacy lives on in the memories of his loved ones and the impact he had on the community.
Remembering Randy Wright: A Life Devoted to Community and Nature
Sandy, Randy Wright’s wife, remembers their marriage with fondness: “He let me do what I wanted inside, and I let him do whatever he wanted outside.” This arrangement allowed Wright to pursue his passion for nature and gardening while Sandy managed the crafts store inside.
Expanding the Business and Serving the Community
Wright’s passion for nature led him to become an active member of the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association. He even served as its president and founded New England Grows, one of the largest nursery trade shows in the U.S.
Wright also founded and served as chairman of the South Shore Natural Science Center in Norwell. He even donated the use of a large Kubota tractor every year for its Corn Festival hayrides. Wright and his son, Josh, ran the hay wagon, one of the most popular activities at the festival.
Remembering Garden Craft
Norma Springer, who worked at Garden Craft for 30 years, described it as “the happiest place.” Betty Rendler, who worked there for 29 years, also fondly recalled her time there. “It was so nice to work at a place where everybody enjoyed being there,” she said.
Martha Twigg, former executive director of the science center, also spoke highly of Garden Craft. “I wish Garden Craft was still around,” she said. “We never realize how good we have it until a business like theirs is gone.”
Wright’s Legacy
Randy Wright’s dedication to his business and community made him a beloved figure in the South Shore. He designed and installed gardens for homes and businesses across the area, leaving his mark on the landscape. His son, Josh, described his father’s pride in choosing or growing the best plant stock to share with the community.
At his memorial service, Wright’s daughter Amy recalled his habit of standing at the back counter in the garden center and thanking everyone for the day before they left. “He enjoyed seeing them and truly felt thankful,” she said.
Randy Wright’s legacy lives on in the memories of those who knew him and the impact he had on the community.
Remembering the Life and Legacy of Randy Wright, Founder of Garden Craft
Randy Wright, founder of Garden Craft in Norwell, Massachusetts, passed away in January 2023 at the age of 74. He left behind a lasting legacy, not only in his successful business but also in his impact on his community and family.
A Life of Passion and Giving Back
Wright had a passion for gardening and landscaping since his youth. He started Garden Craft with his parents, and later expanded it into a successful nursery business. Wright also designed landscapes for homes and businesses, and hired crews to work across the South Shore. He became active in the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, served as its president, and founded New England Grows, one of the largest nursery trade shows in the U.S. He was also one of the founders and the chairman of the South Shore Natural Science Center in Norwell.
Wright was a generous and giving person, donating the use of a large Kubota tractor every year for its Corn Festival hayrides. He also donated and planted native trees and shrubs. His dedication to the community was evident in his commitment to sharing his knowledge and expertise with others.
A Proud Father and Husband
Wright was proudest of his children, who graduated from Cornell University and were elected independently to the senior honor society, Quill and Dagger. For his daughter, Randy was her coach in athletics, especially field hockey, and life. His immense support for his daughter was evident in the way he accepted and loved her for who she was, especially during her teenage years as a growing up gay.
A Life Well Lived
Wright’s passion and dedication to his craft allowed him to spend his whole life doing what he loved. He was able to share that gift with others, and his impact on his community and family will continue to be felt for years to come. Even in his final years, Wright remained generous of spirit, and his legacy will inspire many to live their lives with joy, playfulness, and a commitment to giving back.
Reach Sue Scheible @sscheible@patriotledger.com.
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