Umberto Bianchi

Left to mourn are his three loving and devoted children, Lori-Anne (Lee), Karen (Jerry) and Robert (Machiko), his five beautiful granddaughters: Alexandra, Julia, Clarice, Stella, and Gemma, his beloved brother Ezio (Maria), sister-in-law Gail Kiroff, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews in Canada, Italy, and abroad.

He has gone to rest with his beloved and devoted wife of 58 years, Diana, as well as his mother, Clarice, father, Pasquale, and his five other siblings, Domenico, Dante, Vittorio, Laura, and Lucia.

Umberto will be remembered as a wonderful and hardworking father who looked after his entire family. He was content winning at Briscola, Gin Rummy, or Checkers, and joking away.

At age 20, Umberto left Poggio Mirteto, Rieti, Italy in search of a brighter future in Canada. When he arrived, he worked at his Zio Sante’s restaurant, La Chaumière, the first French restaurant in Toronto. He enjoyed people, fine food, and wine, making it the perfect fit. As manager over the next 30 years, he would see La Chaumière rise to become one of the top dining establishments in the city. He met all sorts of celebrities ranging from Gordon Lightfoot to Ted Danzen. Once the restaurant closed its doors in 1988, he opened Umberto’s Cafe. For the next ten years, with the help of his daughter, Karen, he delighted the hungry customers and staff of Dean Myers Downsview. He retired when his first grandchild, Alexandra arrived in 1998.

Due to economic hardship, Umberto wasn’t able to pursue his dream of becoming an engineer. So, he taught himself instead. He seldom needed a mechanic because he could fix virtually any engine problem. Umberto never tired of upgrading and beautifying his home; he made a lovely basement apartment, added a cantina, and a wonderful sunroom.

But Umberto was not just handy, he was brainy, brilliant in fact. He was an avid collector of National Geographic. He read the newspaper every day. He watched the news religiously and was conversant on world history and current events. He could find any country on the map. He even taught himself French. Then, when the Internet arrived, Umberto found a whole new world to explore. He had a smartphone, three tablets, a laptop, and more.

Cooking was yet another area where he excelled, delighting his family and friends with French favourites such as escargots a l’ail, cuisse de grenouilles, pate de foie gras, and cheesecake; Italian staples such as ragu alla bolognese, pasta primavera, and minestrone; and British fare like roast leg of mutton, Yorkshire pudding, and mashed potatoes. He loved making wine, too.

Much later in life, his ideal evening would be with all his family gathered around at home with “a nice bowl of pasta and a glass of wine.”

Umberto loved traveling with his wife and children, taking many trips back to Italy to visit family or to Florida or other parts of the States. He also visited Quebec, the East Coast and the West Coast. Later, he and his wife visited new places like Japan, California, and Hawaii. He made friends wherever he went. Ever witty, he would make you laugh and have a little laugh himself. In recent years, as his wife’s health deteriorated, he became her main caregiver, cooking, cleaning, and organizing her many health appointments selflessly. After her death, his own health deteriorated rapidly. Now at last he can join his beloved Diane in eternal rest and peace.

A visitation for Mr. Bianchi will be held Friday, September 2, 2022 at Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home (8088 Yonge Street, Thornhill) from 2:00-4:00pm & 6:00-8:00pm. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 10:00am at the Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home. Entombment will follow at Forest Lawn Mausoleum (4570 Yonge St, North York).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family through the Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home website at www.kanejerrett-thornhill.ca.