The City of Livonia has lost a friend, mentor and Mayor – Dennis Wright passed away today at age 72.
Wright was elected as Livonia’s 11th Mayor, serving from 2016-2019. Prior to that, he was twice elected as Treasurer of the city, serving eight years.
During his years as Mayor, Wright directed some major initiatives – construction of the Livonia Dog Park at Bicentennial Park, hosting a community-build of the Universally Accessible Playground at Rotary Park, reinstituting a holiday event with the Merry & Bright Holiday Parade, and hosting the impactful five-day Vietnam Moving Wall event at Ford Field.
He also began a tradition of visiting neighborhoods on Halloween with the Livonia Police Chief and staff.
His efforts toward making Livonia a better place abound. He was a longtime coach and served as president of the Livonia Junior Athletic League. He helped lead the committee that created plans for Livonia’s Kirksey Recreation Center, and worked hard on the millage campaign that helped fund it. And he helped found the Livonia Kids and Families charity, now called Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families.
“Mayor Wright was a true servant leader,” said Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan. “He leaves behind a legacy of caring for children and families in need in our community. As founder of Livonia Kids and Families, he harnessed the power of civic-minded business leaders, like himself, who came together to provide food, Christmas gifts and financial support to families in need.”
“He also saw the promise in planning and committed staff and financial resources to developing the long-range, community driven masterplan that is moving our city forward – Livonia Vision 21. In his memory, today is a good day to reach out and lend a hand, the way he did, in service to so many. I call this doing it the ‘Wright Way.’ Go in peace Mayor Wright. Job well done!”
A U.S. Air Force Veteran, Dennis owned Wright’s Hardware on Five Mile for 18 years, where he was well known to go out of his way to help customers looking to solve an appliance problem or electrical issue. Wright became a mentor to many business owners in the community. He also served on the board of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce.
“Dennis was as real as they come,” said Dan West, president of the Chamber. “He always wanted to help people. He raised money to help kids play sports or help a family in need; he would go to people’s house to help them fix their lawnmower; and he took time to help a small business owner solve a problem. He was genuinely happy watching people solve problems and that’s why he deeply connected with so many people.”
Wright suffered from Parkinson’s disease, which led him to choose not seek re-election in 2019.
When he was interviewed in 2021 upon being awarded the Livonia Legacy Award by the Chamber, he said, “Being elected mayor was the greatest honor of my life. It gave me another way to help people. I just like helping people.”
Arrangements have not been finalized.
