Francis “Fran” Rigoli passed away from natural causes on Nov. 5, 2023 in Santa Barbara.

Fran always had a song. He sang everywhere, to everyone. If people thought he was singing to them, he was. But he was also singing to the Lord he loved.

His faith was not in religion. He would say it was not about theology or religion but about one’s experience of God. He didn’t force that on anyone.

Fran was born Sept. 30, 1931 in Waltham, Massachusetts, to Francesco (Frank) and Anna (Veniziano) Rigoli. He was one of 11 children, and was the first of the family to go to college. He attended Northeastern University in Boston, while married to Iris Dugas Rigoli and raising a family.

In 1958, the Rigolis moved to Santa Barbara. Fran worked at Raytheon and Vandenberg Airforce Base. He retired after working for years at the county of Santa Barbara.

He had always excelled at math and did people’s taxes at H & R Block, where he met the accounting partner with whom he would start his own business doing taxes as an enrolled agent. He did this work well into his 80s.

Fran and Iris joined a group of people in Isla Vista during the “Jesus Revolution” of the 1960s and ’70s, and spent 15 years enjoying what they called “church life.” They divorced in 1982.

Fifteen years later, at age 64, Fran married Heidi Hutton Rigoli in 1994. They shared their love for one another until Fran died at Serenity House in Santa Barbara.

Fran leaves behind his daughters Robin, Doreen and Leann. His oldest daughter Karen is deceased. He also leaves behind many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In place of flowers or other gifts, please donate to VNA Health’s Serenity House, https://vna.health/services/serenity-house/.