Fernando Francesco Mario Cominetti “Nando,” age 96, of Madison, Wis., passed away on August 25, 2026, at the UW Hospital in Madison, Wis. Fernando was born on April 5, 1930, in Soresina, Italy to Luigi and Pierina (Salari) Cominetti. He grew up the youngest of five children in the small town of Soresina, Italy. He experienced World War II as an adolescent. Those challenging experiences during the war continued to influence him throughout his life.

When Nando was 16, he left high school to work as an apprentice electro-mechanic, continuing for seven years. Eventually this would take him on a study-abroad program in the United States. At the age of 26 he was chosen to come to the United States as a union steward to learn the system of unions to give Italian workers better working conditions after living through the war. During this year he met and later married Jean Washburn after returning to Italy. The two lived in Italy for one year before moving back to the U.S. where they would eventually settle in Minneapolis, Minn., and raise four children, Stephan, Laura, Lisa and Jennifer.

Fernando worked for North Central, Republic and Northwest airlines at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport in the avionics shop, maintaining and repairing the electronic systems of the airplanes. The work helped him to travel back home to Italy frequently to see his family. He retired in 1993.

Fernando loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. He also loved soccer and as an adult, coached and was a referee.

Fernando was preceded in death by his parents, Luigi and Pierina Cominetti; and siblings, Rino Cominetti, Sandro Cominetti, Rita (Angelo) Fiameni and Peppino (Imelde) Cominetti; and nephews, Gualtiero Cominetti and Michael Washburn.

He is survived by his children, Stephan (Connie) Cominetti, Laura Cominetti (Steve Richter), Lisa Cominetti and Jennifer Cominetti-Craig (Bruce Craig); his grandchildren, Molly (Nick) Glover, Kevin (Elisa) McBride, Riley Cominetti, Madeleine (Nicole) Cominetti, Steven (Lindsey) Haberle, Chris (Kelly) Haberle, Sophia Goodson, Tessa Goodson, Pippa Goodson, Isaac Goodson, Alexandra Francesca Craig and Samuel Michael Craig; great-grandchildren, Jack McBride, Lainey McBride, Aubrey McBride, Charlie Haberle, Ellie Haberle, Olivia Haberle and Logan Haberle; and nieces, Pierangela Fiameni (Franco Redaelli) and Valerie Leonatti (Dave).

The family would like to thank the staff at Hallowstone Assisted Living at Middleton, Agrace HospiceCare and UW Hospital for the care they gave Fernando.

Fernando will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.

A private Green Burial was held at the Natural Path Sanctuary in Verona, Wis. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761

Fernando F. Cominetti

April 05, 1930 - August 25, 2026

Share photos of Fernando