Candido Gino Zenobi

On June 23rd, after a valiant fight against tremendous odds, our beloved husband and father passed away. Gino was born on February 4th, 1934 in the Commune of Montemontanaro, Fano, Italy, near the Adriatic Coast. He was a proud Marchegiani – son of the Marche region. When his father died, Gino as the eldest son at fourteen years of age took on the responsibility of caring for his mother, brother Franco and sister Iva. To this day, the three of them remain very close even though living far apart.

Gino went to restaurant and hotel school in Siracusa, Sicily. After graduating, he began his career by working at various prestigious hotels and restaurants in the major cities of Italy, including The Palazzi restaurant in Rome, the Grand Hotel and La Pace in Montecatini Terme, and the Grand Hotel in Florence. Afterwards, he worked on the SS Homeric - a luxury ocean liner that traveled throughout Europe, New York and the Caribbean.

Years later, he opened his own restaurant, The Crossroads, at the World Trade Center in downtown Los Angeles as it was always his dream to own his own restaurant.

After many years he sold the Crossroads, and managed the famous Brown Derby in Hollywood - at the time synonymous with the Golden Age of Hollywood and filled with celebrities on a nightly basis.

He and his wife Claudia have been married for 54 years. They met and were married in Italy. After coming to the United States, he and Claudia lived first in Connecticut and then moved to Westlake Village forty-eight years ago where they raised their two children, Patricia and Peter. He was very proud of his children and worked hard to provide them every opportunity he could.

He retired in 2001 as General Manager of Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena. Annandale was like a second home to him. He often said it was the best job he ever had and he brought all of his restaurant and hospitality knowledge to raise Annandale’s standards to become the best club in the area. It was a labor of love. A member recently said “We know Gino loved Annandale and he is beloved by all the members.” Even after retiring, the club president asked him if he wanted to come back. By that time, because of his health reasons he couldn’t do so.

In retirement he led a quiet life, finally being able to do what he wanted and not having to keep a schedule. He enjoyed going for long walks, riding his bike, playing golf, tending his herb and vegetable garden, reading outdoors while sitting in the sun, playing with his grandchildren, enjoying his wife’s great cooking, and watching his favorite soccer teams Juventus and the Italian National Team on TV (“Forza Azzurri”). He had a twinkly smile and a funny sense of humor that he shared with those close to him. A favorite thing he liked to say is “Life is so simple if you don’t make it complicated!”

And now after all the years of taking care of others, he finally gets to rest.

He is survived by his wife Claudia, daughter Patricia, son Peter, daughter-in-law Elizabeth, granddaughters Sonia and Cleo, his brother Franco and his wife Mariella, sister Iva and her husband Bruno, niece Bruna and nephews Matteo, Daniele and Tommaso. He was and remains much loved by all.

A mass will be held at St Jude’s Catholic Church, 32032 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village on July 1st at 10am with a reception to follow. Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Mortuary.

He's Gone

You can shed tears that his is gone

or you can smile because he has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray

that he'll come back

or you can open your eyes

and see all he's left.

Your heart can be empty

because you can't see him

or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back

on tomorrow and live yesterday

or you can be happy

for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him

and only that he's gone

or you can cherish his memory

and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind,

be empty and turn your back

or you can do what he'd want:

smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

-David Harkins