Frank Moretti

Frank Moretti passed away peacefully at the age of 93 in his home in Seattle, Washington on May 19, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Ontario, Canada to Italian immigrants, he was the first in his family to go to college, then went on to earn a PhD in geology. During college, he met and later married the love of his life, Arden, to whom he was wed for 70 years. They had 3 children. Frank worked as a research geologist in the oil industry in Alberta and Texas for 35 years, with adventures ranging from doing field work on horseback in the wilds of Canada to providing expert consultation around the world such as in Saudi Arabia, China, and Venezuela.

After his distinguished career, he developed broad interests in nature and heritage projects. When he and Arden retired to Victoria, British Columbia, he became an avid gardener, and nothing gave him more satisfaction than a day of hard work in the yard. He raised mason bees for pollination, and in true Frank style, then became an educator, holding seminars on beekeeping. He was an avid bird watcher and helped to band hummingbirds to study their migration patterns. He joined the Sail and Life Training Society (SALTS) as a member and a volunteer, taking multiple voyages with them on their beautiful tall ships. He was a director on the Friends Board of the Royal BC Museum in Victoria and volunteered in the fossils section.

Frank was a dedicated scientist who loved a good spreadsheet but also had a way with words. He wrote 25 articles on earth sciences topics for the newsletter published at his senior living community, and when his son-in-law became a thriller author, Frank lent his exceptional editorial skills to 15 of his novels.

He was a man of quiet but deep faith which fueled his love and compassion for all people. He was very involved in the Episcopal or Anglican churches wherever he lived, including leadership and teaching roles. Everyone who knew him absolutely loved him for being such a kind, gentle, gracious, intelligent, and interesting person.

Frank was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Elizabeth, and sisters Joanne and Mary. He is survived and missed by his beloved wife, Arden; brother Peter; sister Anne and partner Elk; son John and partner Pat; daughter Lauren and husband Matt, and daughter Randi and husband Boyd; along with 5 grandsons: Jacob, Keenan, Chris, Jeremy, and Alex and their significant others; and nieces and nephews Rosemarie, Lorraine, Robbie, and Michael.

A private memorial will be held in Seattle on June 21, 2026. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to Sail and Life Training Society (SALTS), The Audubon Society, or New Horizons in Seattle, providing services for unhoused young adults.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Hearthstone at Green Lake for their many years of loving kindness and excellent care.