Francis "Frank" Donald Ferretti

It is with deep sorrow and tender hearts that we announce the passing of Frank Donald Ferretti. Following a lengthy battle with COPD, Frank passed away on November 14, 2024 at his home with his daughters and wife at his side. His warmth, depth of character, tenacity, perseverance, ingenuity, humor, intelligence, sensitivity, stubbornness, authenticity, perspective, and vision will all be deeply missed. He was a beloved father, husband, and friend to everyone he met.

Frank (born as Francis Donald), son of Donald James Ferretti and Gretchen Shaw Ferretti, was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania on June 27, 1944. He spent most of his childhood in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Frank spent a lot of time exploring on his own as a child. During these years he often played in the basement with a chemistry set he created, and befriended many animals. He spent a large amount of time being cared for by his Aunt Jeanette and Aunt Peggy. His mother remarried, and together they traveled to Thailand for his stepfather’s work. In Thailand, Frank was able to attend an international school, and had a pet iguana named Charlie. He had fond memories of this chapter in his life. After returning to the US, during his middle school years, Frank was recognized for saving a classmate from drowning in a local pond. Frank went on to finish high school, and then joined the army. He served two tours in Vietnam, both of which yielded nearly fatal injuries from friendly fire. In 1969, his second injury resulted in him being flown directly from Vietnam to Letterman General hospital in San Francisco. There, he had the first recorded open heart surgery of its kind. After recovering from his injury, he married, and raised two daughters in Columbia, South Carolina.

After retiring from the army, Frank worked in the steel industry as an engineer. He started his own company, “Applied Industrial Systems”, where he combined his extensive knowledge of engineering, metallurgy, and design to fabricate parts for various industrial applications. He loved science, design, engineering, chemistry, and nature; animals, plants, minerals, and the earth sciences. He loved all cats; he especially had a fondness for big cats. An enthusiastic and successful gardener, he grew any plant with ease. Frank enjoyed his physicality, taking much enjoyment from martial arts and being very dedicated in the gym, where he created a number of lasting friendships. In 1999, Frank married Melanie Joy Oenbrink. Together they enjoyed traveling, gardening, and spending time with family, friends, and pets.

Frank will be lovingly remembered and kept alive in the hearts of his wife Melanie Joy Ferretti, daughters Tia Ann Ferretti and Elizabeth Ferretti, granddaughter Jordyn Gray, grandson Brennan Gray, and his very cherished dog, Beau Ferretti. Other family members he is survived by include his brothers and sisters in-law: Richard and Christine Marchant of Winter Haven, FL; Stephen Oenbrink of Beaufort, SC; Rev. Michael Oenbrink of Hilton Head IsIand, SC; David and Ann Sealy of Greenwood, SC; Thomas and Chyrl Oenbrink of Mount Pleasant, SC; Mark and Beth Bosserman of Columbus, IN, as well as many nephews, nieces, and grand nephews and nieces.

Rev. Michael Hillard will officiate Frank's Celebration of Life at the Dunbar Funeral Home Dutch Fork Chapel, at 7600 Woodrow Street, Irmo, SC on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 2:00pm, and is open to family and friends. **(All guests are invited to join the family for a reception immediately following the service.)**

Memorial donations may be made in the name of Frank Ferretti to:

Harvest Hope Food Bank (a organization he regularly gave to as he believed no one should go hungry)

https://www.harvesthope.org/

Carolina Wildlife Center (a rehab facility for injured and orphaned wildlife)

https://carolinawildlife.org/

ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

https://www.aspca.org/

Boulder Crest Foundation (a program for helping veterans and first responders with PTSD)

https://bouldercrest.org/

Frank’s family wishes to send a special “Thank you!” to the staff at Prisma Health Hospice for all of their dedication, care, compassion, and love.