Man’s last wish: Don’t send flowers, give shoes

STOCK PHOTO. AFP FILE.

SAGINAW, Michigan, United States — Shoes, not flowers.

The final wish of a Michigan man was fulfilled Monday when dozens of children’s shoes were donated at his funeral in Saginaw.

Dennis Wright of Perry died of cancer at age 61. He had asked mourners to skip flowers and instead give something that could make a difference in someone’s life. As a result, the floor at Snow Funeral Home was filled with boxes of new shoes. They will be donated to families that need them.

Bryan Wright tells TV station WNEM that his father wore shoes until they had holes when he was growing up in Saginaw. He says Dennis Wright was “always excited” when he could finally get a new pair.

The elder Wright retired from General Motors after 39 years. /cbb