Clifford Sidney Wright

Clifford Sidney Wright passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at the age of 80. Cliff lived a life serving God and others, whether as a deacon at St. Benilde Catholic Church; as a dedicated teacher to students at Xavier University; or helping the sick, elderly, poor, and others. Most of all, he was a husband, father and grandfather. Clifford’s father, Samuel, died in WWII at Normandy. He and his mother lived in New Orleans until she remarried Paul LaRoccca, Sr., who was a beautiful father figure for the rest of his life. Cliff was husband of Jane T. Wright; father of Mark Wright (Kimberly), Chris Wright (Jana), and the late Erin Wright; he was a grandfather of Elizabeth, Katharine, Margaret, Graham, Mary Clare, Grayson, and John Paul Wright. Cliff was the son of the late Winifred LaRocca and Samual H.P. Wright, a well as stepson of Paul J. LaRocca, Sr. He was the brother of Paul LaRocca, Jr. and Mary L. Pratt. Clifford was a deacon at St. Benilde Parish; Professor of Accounting at Xavier University of Louisiana for 53 years; and also had a C.P.A. practice for 45 years. He graduated from De LaSalle High School, attended U.N.O. where he received his B. A. in marketing, and attended Loyola University where he earned an M.B.A.
Ever the accountant, Cliff showed his love through small countless acts, such as putting you on his weekly call list. He served St. Benilde and the St. Vincent DePaul Society with his financial expertise. Family and friends loved his quirky ways, such as never wearing long sleeve shirts, regardless of weather or coat and tie. He and Janie gracefully bore the loss of their only daughter, Erin, before she was 30, providing an incredible example of faith to family, friends and the community. Cliff visited Erin’s crypt every Saturday, making friends with employees and everyone visiting the mausoleum. He was a stranger to no one.
Relatives and friends may visit on Friday, September 8, 2023 between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM at Tharp Funeral Home, 1600 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, LA 70002 and after 9:00 AM at the church on Saturday. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Benilde Catholic Church, 1901 Division Street, Metairie, LA 70001 on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 11:00 AM; followed by internment at Hope Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the St. Benilde Capital Campaign, which can be found at stbenilde.org.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clifford Sidney Wright, please visit our floral store.