Obituary of John L. Bright

John Lewis "Jack" Bright Jack Bright peacefully passed away in his home in Tucson on February 27, 2012. He was born in London, Canada on July 15, 1921 to Henry and Ruby Bright. He grew up in Portsmouth, Ohio with his siblings, George, Jenny and Bill. He graduated from Sciotoville HS, then worked for Norfolk & Western Railway, served in the US Army Air Corps in WWII and graduated from Ohio State University in 1947. In 1948 he earned a fellowship at the University of Montevideo, Uruguay and joined the U.S. Foreign Service. In his 30 year career he worked in nine Latin American countries. His most notable posts were as director of the U.S. Binational Centers in Paraguay, Mexico and Peru. He was also a Cultural Affairs Officer in Argentina, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. In 1973, while director of the Peruvian cultural center in Arequipa, he married Beatriz Rivas, the love of his life. He retired to Tucson in 1979 where he volunteered as president of the International Friends of the U of A, president of the Ohio State University Alumni Club and Tucson Council for International Visitors. Jack participated in musical theater where he sang in Damn Yankees, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma and South Pacific. He was an avid golfer and bridge player and enjoyed hiking, classical music, the daily Jumble and crossword, reciting Edgar Allen Poe and presidential trivia. Jack is survived by his wife, Beatriz; children Terry, Bonnie, Peter, Alexandra, John and Thomas and siblings Bill and Jenny and numerous nephews and nieces. Jack was much loved for his tremendous wit, intelligence and kindness by all who knew him. Jack was the quintessential diplomat to the end, courteous and gracious, with a good word to everyone. Arrangements by BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL.