Rene Chagniot

Rene Henri Chagniot Dec. 13, 1926-Nov. 22, 2010 Born in Belfort, France. Passed away peacefully at home in San Francisco. Rene is able to join his beautiful wife Monique, whose passing left a huge void in his life. Now he will finally rest in her arms. Rene is survived by his three dedicated children, Richard (Jean), Philippe (Barbara), and Nicole (Kyle) McDevitt. He is also survived by his ten loving grandchildren; Gabrielle, Nicholas, Devin, Micheline, Anthony, Dominique, Rachel, Monique, Riley and Sophia. At the age of 14, in order to avoid Nazi occupation, Rene's father placed him on a train bound for the South of France to enlist in the French Navy. He spent the next seven years of his life traveling the world. From opium dens in Indochina, to ports of Africa, to hearing Louis Armstrong in New Orleans, he saw the world. Rene immigrated to Montreal after his naval service. He became a waiter and remained in the restaurant business his whole working life. On a return trip to Montreal from France, on the ill-fated Andrea Doria ocean liner, Rene met the love of his life, Monique. Five years later, Rene and Monique came to San Francisco. Rene took pride working at two of the best restaurants in town, The Palace Hotel, in which he served Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev, and the Trianon Restaurant, serving many movie stars. Rene opened La Cigogne Restaurant in San Mateo in the late 1960's. He worked hard to build a fine French restaurant until the day he retired. Along with his loving family, Rene made many great friends over the years, in the restaurant business, the Anciens Marins, the Ligue Henri IV, and the Boul d'or petanque Club. Services will be held on Friday, November 26th, at Notre Dame Des Victoires Church, 566 Bush St. 94108, at 1:30 pm. A reception will follow at City Forest Lodge, 254 Laguna Honda Blvd. S.F., CA 94116.