Alfredo Solis Tawatao

Alfredo (“Fred”/”Dong”) Solis Tawatao passed away on April 15, 2025 surrounded by family and friends. He was 89. He was born on August 22, 1935 in Baguio, Benguet and raised in Mabini, Pangasinan in the Philippines. He joined the United States Navy in 1959, served as a cook, and traveled around the world twice, including the Mediterranean, Central America, and the South Pacific; he served during the war in Vietnam. He was stationed in California, Italy, Maryland, and Rhode Island. In 1968, while visiting with friends in New Jersey, he met by chance his former acquaintance and classmate Magdalena Braganza, and they fell in love. They married on March 16, 1968 and were married for 57 years. They have 3 children. The family moved from Massachusetts to Rhode Island to Hawaii, then finally settled in Lynnwood, WA. He retired from active military service in 1984. Fred then worked for the Veterans Administration Hospital in Seattle until he retired in 2000. He also enjoyed working part-time and socializing at the Sand Point and Smokey Point Navy bases for many years.

Fred enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his granddaughters.

He enjoyed watching all sports and was a hometown fan of the Mariners and Sounders. He enjoyed growing vegetables; doing crossword puzzles; playing the lottery, cards, and mahjong; fishing, crabbing and clamming. Most of all he enjoyed cooking and feeding his friends and family. He often cooked enough food for the “entire ship” - food for both the meal and for leftovers - for parties and the weekly Sunday dinners for his entire family.

Fred will be remembered for his wonderful cooking, quick smile and laughter, warm heart, and extraordinary generosity - supporting his extended family in the Philippines and opening his home to friends and family through the years.

Fred and his family were longtime parishioners at St. Thomas More Parish in Lynnwood, WA until he and his wife moved to Seattle in 2024 to live with their son.

Preceded by his parents Demetria Solis Tawatao and Ciriaco Braganza Tawatao; siblings Magdalena Soniega, Fernando, and Benjamin; and granddaughter Magdalena Sheehan Tawatao. Survived by his wife, Magdalena Braganza Tawatao; son Alfred Dave Tawatao (Jennifer) and granddaughters Maya and Grace; daughter Jennifer Montoya (Benjamin) and granddaughter Linnea; and daughter Christine Tawatao.