Enzo Bianucci

Enzo Bianucci passed away on August 16, 2012 in Santa Rosa at the age of 86. Enzo was born in Lammari, Italy on March 20, 1926 to Bruna and Gino Bianucci and immigrated to the US at the age of 2, settling with his family in Carlin, Nevada. After graduating from Carlin High School, Enzo moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and attended Santa Clara University, where he studied engineering and played basketball. He left Santa Clara for the US Air Force where he also played basketball, providing entertainment for the troops in the European Theater. Married on July 20, 1952 to his lovely Beverly Fontes, the couple settled first in San Francisco, and later in Millbrae. An entrepreneur, Enzo co-owned the Philosopher's Club Bar in the West Portal neighborhood of San Francisco, and later Enzo's Italian Delicatessen in Millbrae, often sending sandwiches over to Lon Simmons and Russ Hodges in the Giants broadcast booth. After moving to Davis in 1969, Enzo and Beverly ventured into the Hotel Business, owning and managing the Royal Inn in West Sacramento and Reno with Enzo's sister and brother-in-law, Elia and Bob Baiocchi. Enzo was active in the West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce and the Yolo Fliers Golf Club. Retiring to Palm Springs in 1984, Enzo continued to enjoy golf, an active social life, and traveling. In 2004 he moved to Santa Rosa to be close to his family.

Preceded in death by his wife Beverly in 2002, Enzo leaves his son Michael and daughter-in-law Anne, grandsons Mark, Brian, and Chris, sister Elia Baiocchi, sister and brother-in-law Olivia and Dan Haley, and many extended family members.

Throughout his life, Enzo loved all things Italian; golfing with the Western Italian Golf Association, cooking his favorite Italian dishes learned from his mother, sharing his famous Enzo's Minestrone Soup, traveling and visiting relatives in Italy, waiting all year for his favorite Christmas Panettone, and cheering on the Italian National Soccer Team "Azzurri" with his family.

A Memorial Mass followed by a celebration of Enzo's life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 at the Star of the Valley Catholic Church, 545 White Oak Dr., Santa Rosa (Oakmont). Memorial Donations may be made to the Hanna Boys Center or the National MS Society.