Eldo Bianchi

Eldo Bianchi 1922 - 2006 Passed away on April 2, 2006 at home. Eldo grew up in Roseville, CA, listening to the sounds of the Southern Pacific train yards. He learned to follow his musical gifts early, taking the train and ferry to San Francisco every Saturday to study with his accordion teacher. As a teenager, he played in local bands with his dad in the Sacramento area. During World War II he was stationed in Calcutta, India where he met his beloved Addie, whom he married 60 years ago. After graduating from Cal Berkeley in 1950 he began a lifetime of teaching arts and crafts to high school students and his own four children alike, building a creative atmosphere in his family's home. He gave away much of his beautifully crafted jewelry, pottery, woodwork, and sculpture to those he loved. His granddaughters rocked their baby dolls in beautifully carved cradles. His oldest grandson played with knights in the castle he built. Almost every summer Eldo climbed behind the wheel of the old 48 Ford or the station wagon or the RV and headed out with Addie and his lively three sons and a daughter to explore the United States coast to coast, the provinces of Canada, and the many corners of Mexico, all the way to the Yucatan. Summer time also meant growing roses and vegetables: to this day his children and grandchildren try to grow the Italian "Grandma" beans as big as those that grew in every garden he planted in Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, and Berkeley. He played his accordion music with sensitivity and joy. He is remembered with love and fondness by his wife Adeline Hope Bianchi; daughter, Lianne Campodonico; sons, Craig, Marc, and Derek; and sister, Elda Otter. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Gabriel, Sophia, Eva, Steven, Claire, Jamie, Ariana, and Elise, all of whom never ceased to amaze him. The family has planned a private memorial. Donations may be made in his name to the Hospice Foundation in Emeryville, CA; American Friends Service Committee; or East Bay Waldorf School.