Franklin Wrigley

Reverend Franklin Wrigley, 88, died March 23, 2010 in Oklahoma City. Father Wrigley was born on September 12, 1921 in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, the fifth of six boys born to Herman Lloyd and Florence Regina Delaney Wrigley. He attended St. Bernard Parish School, Akron, Ohio. Even as a small child Father Wrigley wished to be a priest. He began his initial studies for the priesthood with the Society of the Divine Order at St. Paul's, Epworth, Iowa. In 1945 a recurring illness ended his dream of foreign service and at the urging of his Oklahoma cousin, Monsignor John Mason Connor, under the auspices of the Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa he continued his studies at Glennon College and Kenrick Seminary, St. Louis. Father Wrigley was ordained March 15, 1952 in Akron, Ohio at his home parish. Father Wrigley's first assignment was St. Francis Parish, Tulsa. In 1955 he became the pastor of Christ the King Parish (now St. Cecilia Parish), Claremore. He was the first pastor for St. Mark Parish, Pryor. Father Wrigley served in many parishes throughout Oklahoma during his fifty plus years of ministry, including Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Chandler, St. Joseph Church and St. Thomas More Church, Norman, St. Peter Church, Woodward and missions, St. Paul Church, Del City, St. Charles Borromeo Church, Oklahoma City, St. Mary Church, Medford and St. Eugene Church, Oklahoma City. During his career, Father Wrigley also served the Diocese of Calgary and the Archdiocese of Anchorage while on sabbatical, experiences he enjoyed very much. In 1959, the Most Reverend Victor Joseph Reed appointed Father Wrigley as spiritual director and teacher at St. Francis Seminary in Oklahoma City where he taught history and Latin until 1965. During his tenure there, Father Wrigley obtained a M.A. in European History from the University of Oklahoma. Father Wrigley was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Robert, George, Richard and Harry. Father Wrigley is survived by his brother William of Akron, Ohio, several nieces and nephews and many good friends who will miss his kindness and wit. His friends and family wish to express gratitude to George Rigazzi who gave Father Wrigley much support and care during his final illness.