John Wright, 93, Lake Bluff

John Wright, who founded Egg Harbor Café, dies at 93.

John “Jack” Eliot Wright, 93, of Lake Bluff, IL, died peacefully on Thursday, May 18, 2023. Born in Sheboygan, WI to Elisha and Jean Wright, Jack moved to Glencoe, IL in 1939 and graduated from New Trier High School in 1948. After graduating from Northwestern University in 1952, he served in Germany with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Jack married his first wife Paula in 1955 and they raised four children whom he loved dearly. After the two divorced in 1992, Jack met and married Mary Ellen Claypool, and came to love her two daughters as his own.

An entrepreneur throughout his life, Jack will be remembered most for founding Egg Harbor Café at age 55, beginning with the opening of the Hinsdale Egg Harbor in 1985. He continued to lead the growing restaurant chain for 25 years. When he began the business, he hoped it would become a family endeavor, and he was especially proud when the restaurant passed on to a second and third generation of family members at the helm.

Jack lived a full life in and outside of work, impacting everyone he met with his humor, kindness, and down-to-earth wisdom. He was a man with many friends and many interests. A lifelong Cubs fan, Jack took his father to the 7th game of the 1945 Cubs/Detroit World Series, and after only 72 years he watched from home as the Cubs beat Cleveland in 2016 to win it all. Throughout his long life, he also cheered on the Bears and PGA golf. From 1996 to 2010 Jack enjoyed traveling with Mary Ellen to the four corners of the world. He remained interested in history and world events throughout his entire life, reading avidly, and always finding a way to enjoy shared interests with those around him.

Jack will be dearly missed by his children, Tim (Amy) Wright, Wendy (Michael) Mospan, Aimee (Michael) Farrell, and Shawna (Dennis) Bartimoccia; his grandchildren Tony (Olivia) Wright, Tori (Luke) Hoplin, John (Tara) Mospan, Kevin (Rachel) Mospan, David Mospan, Cassidy (Elliot) Cash, Matthew (Josie) Farrell, Daniel Farrell, Colleen (Jordan) McNickle, and Megan Bartimoccia; his step-daughters Joanna Claypool Walla and Melissa Claypool Brohan; his step-grandchildren Taylor (Bea) Wagener and Hollister Brohan; as well as many beloved great-grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Jack’s family wants to thank the wonderful home caregivers who were by his side for the past seven years. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ellen Wright.

A Memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, 700 North Sheridan Road, Lake Forest, IL, on Thursday, June 22 at 11 am. (Please use the Deerpath Road entrance.) A celebration of his life will follow at Exmoor Country Club, Highland Park, IL.

Info: Wenban Funeral Home 847-234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com.