John W. 'Bill' Moffett

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Moffett, John W. "Bill" age 84, formerly of Watkins Glen, NY, passed away peacefully, on June 3, 2023, in Rochester, NY. Bill is survived by three children, Andra Moffett-Dekkers (Marijn Dekkers), Tim (Wendy) Moffett and Allison Moffett-Santos (John Santos); three step-children, Kathy (Matt) Licata, Mark Merletti and Rob Merletti; ten grandchildren, Alexandra, Stephanie and Marina Dekkers, Samantha and Jacob Moffett, Gabriel and Jude Santos, Matthew Licata, Milan and Lucca Merletti; nephew, Ian Coyle. He was predeceased by his wife, Hope Moffett in 2020; and sister, Nan Coyle. Born in Des Moines, IA, Bill was raised in Minneapolis, MN and graduated from the University of Minnesota. As a third-generation newspaperman, he started his career as a reporter for the Minneapolis Star. Shortly afterward he left to work as a West Coast field editor for Charles Scribner & Son's, the longstanding publisher of text and trade books. His connections there lead him toward his true calling; combining his passion for writing, grape growing and winemaking into one; by creating the first trade magazine for the then-budding east coast grape growing & wine industry. Bill was Publisher of Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine, of Watkins Glen and Santa Rosa, CA, which he founded and ran along with his wife and business partner, Hope Merletti Moffett, for 28 years. Bill and Hope were married 39 years. Together they founded many wine and vineyard seminars, trade shows and wine competitions, including Wineries Unlimited Trade Show, American Association of American Vintners, Eastern Wine Competition, Grand Harvest Awards and West Coast Wine competition. Bill's many hobbies included sailing, and he enjoyed buying boats (and cars) as much as he did sailing them. He was an avid wood worker and jack of all trades, having bought and renovated two homes in Watkins Glen and one in Cloverdale, CA. Bill was an active member of Lions Club and Rotary Club of Watkins Glen. He was known to his family and friends as an excellent chef and avid gardener, and he loved to share these talents with his family and all that he met. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Bill's life on Saturday July 15, 2023, at Atwater Vineyards, Hector N.Y. from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Canandaigua, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Food Bank of the Southern Tier at foodbankst.org/donate/ or Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association at senecalake.org/…. Arrangements are by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc., Canandaigua. Condolences: johnsonkennedy.com

Published on June 18, 2023