John Virgil Wright

On 18th April 2026, John aged 81 years died suddenly at home at Cobden Farm, his wife Maggie (‘M’) by his side. He was at the heart of a lively family who never quite managed to keep him in order. He was the beloved Dad of Sarah, Gwenda, Richard, Gemma and Rebecca; the cherished father-in-law of Alan, Steve, Carrie, Mark and Andrew; and hugely adored Grandad of Josh, Harry, Oliver, Lucy, Joseph, James, Sam, Edward, Annabel and Jessica.

John lived all his life at Cobden Farm; growing up with eight sisters and brothers (his older brother passing away as a baby). The children of Frank and Elizabeth (Lizzie), they had a wonderful childhood growing up on the hillside farm forging bonds that remained lifelong. They have already sadly said goodbye to sisters and brothers Kathleen, Frances, Peter and Joe. John is survived by brother Bob and sisters Eileen, Liz and Margaret.

His dark red curly hair and beard earned him the nickname “Viking”. His wife called him JV; this got misheard by a family member so he gained another name in his later years: Gravy. He answered to them all…usually.

Farming was his calling. But first he had to get through school…first at St Mary’s primary in Sabden moving up to St John’s, Padiham, leaving at 15. Then he was apprenticed as a tiler and plasterer with Roland Ford, Clitheroe, before becoming self-employed. There’s many a house or barn around the Ribble Valley and Burnley that he’d point out, saying: “We put the roof on that” or “We built that”.  The skills learned in the building trade were invaluable when he started farming alongside his dad. John set up a pig enterprise – breeding sows then raising the young to pork. His dad had a dairy herd. Then they shared a sheep flock. When his dad retired, he and Maggie took over the dairy herd and expanded the flock. They had married in December 1975, living in the bungalow John had built for them at the farm, eventually moving into the farmhouse with their five young children.

A lifelong Burnley FC supporter, John was a keen footballer and cricketer. He played for Padiham FC for a while as a semi-professional, and for Sabden Cricket Club first as a teenager then, when the club revived in the late 70s, as captain. Lifelong friendships were made through sport, school, farming and the building trade. Maggie says wherever they went JV seemed to know someone. He loved to share a story and a conversation over a pint and more in Sabden village pubs and further afield, always looking on the bright side and often with a twinkle in his eyes. And he was often at the centre of a discussion or laughter.

He was a good friend and mentor to folk of all ages – always supportive and willing to help if he could. He gave young people the experience of work on a farm and the building trade that helped shape their adult lives. He touched many other people’s lives too with his wicked sense of humour, practical help and advice.

He loved to travel and see other parts of the UK and the world, whether it was to Blackpool or Beijing.

But his happy place was being at home on the farm with his wife, surrounded by the children, their partners, and all the grandchildren.

John and Maggie celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary just before Christmas – wondering how the years had flown by so fast.