Louis "Gene" Moretti

A legend in his own right, Louis “Gene” Moretti, “Pop”, 105, died peacefully on May 20, 2022, at his home in Somerville. Born in Raritan to the late Michael and Mary Moretti, he grew up on Doughty Street until he was eleven years old, he always had a special place in his heart for Raritan and would frequent the Italian Bakery for decades to come. His family then settled in Somerville where he lived for the next ninety-four years and was loved by his town. After graduating from Somerville High School, he followed his brother Joseph enlisting in the United States Army. His tours were in North Africa, Italy, Moroco and Sicily, where he met the love of his life, Maria Luisa Principe. Moretti’s brother Joseph gave the ultimate sacrifice when he was killed in action on the U.S.S Bunker Hill when it was hit by two kamikazes while covering the invasion of Okinawa at the end of the war. After World War II, he and Maria married and settled in Somerville where they raised their family. Mr. Moretti was a textile chemist for American Cyanamid where in 1957 he received a patent for flameproofing composition. This was a foundation to making fire-retardant materials helping to protect and save lives for years to come. Gene’s dedication to God started as an altar boy at St. Anne’s Church in Raritan. He was a daily parishioner of The Church of The Immaculate Conception in Somerville where he devoted time to the parish and community at large in various organizations. He devoted his life to loving God and in turn spread the love of God to those in his life. He lived as a true gentleman and was a friend to everyone he met. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 16 of Somerville where he was a dedicated trustee for many years. Mr. Moretti’s time in combat left him completely deaf in one ear, which didn’t stop him from helping his fellow veterans. Gene volunteered his time at the Lyons VA Hospital, where his presence and incredible smile brought up the moral of everyone there. Even at 99 years old he made sure to dedicate time to helping veterans and supporting the DAV and VA. He was the Grand Marshal of the Basilone Parade in 2014 where he rode in the parade ever since. Gene was a member of the Somerville Elks for many years and enjoyed traveling, especially to the Jersey Shore where he loved the beach and the sun. He played tennis, and enjoyed time spent with all of his friends and family. Gene was a devoted husband, loving father, dedicated grandfather and great grandfather. His greatest gift in life was his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Maria L. Moretti in 2014, his dear siblings, Joseph Moretti, Lucille Pecora, and Ann Klitsch. Surviving are his loving daughters, Elaine Wittman and husband Henry, and Marianna Sucher, his cherished grandchildren Benjamin and Julia Mia Sucher, Henry IV and wife Courtney, and Mark Wittman and Norma, his great granddaughters Maya and Lucia Sucher, his niece and nephew, Joanne Pryll and husband Ted, and Joseph Klitsch and wife Ann Marie,, devoted caregiver Leila Gaiser, as well as his extended family and community friends. He will be missed by all who knew him. His lifelong motto was: Be kind to as many people as possible. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 30, 2022, from 4:00 to 8:00PM at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at The Church of The Immaculate Conception, 35 Mountain Avenue, Somerville. Family and friends are welcome to gather directly at church. Entombment will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery Mausoleum, Bridgewater. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the D.A.V. Chapter #16, 232 East Union Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876