Dennis Solari
Dennis Solari, son of the late Ray and Kathleen Wagstaff Solari, was born in San Francisco, CA on September 12, 1946, but afterwards lived a quintessentially Seattle life. He grew up in the Georgetown neighborhood, where he sold newspapers to Boeing workers. He attended St. George Catholic School, later went high school at O’Dea, and then graduated with a degree in Business from the University of Washington. He was an avid fan of the Seafair Hydroplane Races during its heyday in the 1950s and 60s. One of his favorite memories of growing up was working at the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, where he sold embroidered hats at the tender age of 15. He also enjoyed attending local music concerts, with his favorite groups being The Ventures and The Kingston Trio.
After graduation, Dennis toured Europe with his twin brother Danny. He worked as an accountant at Boeing, and later as contractor on multiple developments in Bellevue and Kirkland. He enjoyed traveling and camping all over the Northwest, with frequent trips down the Oregon Coast, to the San Juan Islands, and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He shared many adventures with his wife, Joan Temple, and their children. As a true Seattleite, they lived on a Lake Union houseboat for a time, where he was talented enough to catch a salmon off his deck, but smart enough not to eat it. A growing family forced a move to land in the Eastlake neighborhood, where he restored a 1900s-era house by hand. Even in his mid-fifties, he could be found forty feet up working on the roof.
Dennis was always an avid skier and sports fan, particularly of the Washington Huskies and Seattle Supersonics. He enjoyed playing basketball for many years, and later coached youth basketball for his kids. In true Seattle fashion, his favorite restaurants were such classics as the Italian Spaghetti House on Lake City Way, Tai Tong in the International District, Northlake Tavern Pizza, Pecos Bill BBQ, and Swiss Chocolate ice cream from the Husky Deli. He also enjoyed movies, with a wide variety of tastes, and attempted to see every movie from the American Film Institute’s Top 100 list.
Those who knew Dennis remember him as very gregarious person who could strike up a conversation with anyone. He cared deeply for the people in his life and was quick to offer advice and aid without asking for anything in return. He had generous spirit, who would not hesitate to give to those in need. He had a relentlessly positive attitude, despite numerous challenges, including a decade of paraplegia that eventually left him bed bound. He died July 16th, 2025, after a long illness. He is survived by two sisters, Kathleen Solari and Margaret Solari, who were his long-time caregivers, as well as his son Patrick Solari, (Kimberly Morrissette) of Bellevue, WA, daughter Anne Solari Dunn (Robert) of Washington, DC and three grandchildren, Matthew Solari, Meghan Solari, and Eleanor Dunn.
A funeral mass will be held Friday July 25th at 11am, at and reception immediately to follow at Newport Yacht Club. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Boys and Girls Club of King County.
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