Clifford Wright - Founding Member Of Bayville First Aid Squad - Passes Away

Things were different back in 1954. There was no Community Medical Center, no Southern Ocean County Medical Center. The hospital closest to Bayville was Paul Kimball Hospital in Lakewood.

And when young David Wright suffered a fractured skull in a car accident on Route 9 that summer, friends and neighbors drove him to Kimball. David died the following day.

David's death sparked the birth of the Bayville First Aid Squad shortly after the accident. Clifford Wright was one of the founding members of the squad and served Bayville for decades.

He lost his battle with cancer on Thursday, Mayor Carmen F. Amato  Jr. wrote on his Facebook page Thursday night.

"Berkeley Township lost a community icon today," the mayor said. "I'm sad to learn after a long battle with cancer, Clifford Wright lost his courageous fight."

"My deepest condolences go out to his wife Ethel and the entire Wright family," Amato wrote. "Clifford and his family were founding members of the Bayville First Aid Squad. His contribution to the residents of Bayville will never be forgotten. RIP Cliff. Thank you for your service to our community. May god welcome you with open arms and bless your family during this time."

Patch will post funeral arrangements and more details as they become available.