On February 23, 2013, our dad, Fred Bianchini, 85, went peacefully to join his loved ones who went before him.
He was born on November 27, 1927 in Concrete, Washington, Dad was the youngest of 3 Bianchini boys born to Angelo & Teresa Bianchini.
Dad spent the first 50 years of his life in Concrete. He attended Concrete School District playing football, basketball, baseball & singing in the High School Operetta.
Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. army where he was a radio/telephone operator 599. After being Honorably discharged in 1947, dad returned to Concrete & worked for Superior Cement Co. & Monrad’s Grocery.
For recreation he was a member of the Concrete town basketball team with his brother Armond & a host of friends.
It was at this time that dad met & married Barbara Kloes & together they had 5 children in the 16 years they were married.
In 1954, dad became the town of Concretes Chief of Police, a job he held for the next 12 years & where he worked closely with the yo
uth of Concrete. Dad was also a member of the Concrete Volunteer Fire Department as well as the Lion’s Club & American Legion.
Dad married Dorothy Comstock in 1967 & together they started their journey together. They owned & operated the Hub Tavern in Concrete where people of all hair lengths were welcome.
The two of them hopped in their motor home & traveled frequently to Reno as well as all parts of the western U.S. making countless friends with his easygoing self, great smile and kindness.
Years later, Dad served as the Business Agent for Laborers Union Local 901 in Mount Vernon, where he worked until his retirement in 1994.
The past few years dad resided at Birchview Memory Care in Sedro-Woolley where he made countless friends & lived out the rest of his life in peace.
Dad is survived by his oldest brother, Al Bianchini (Bev); sister-in-law, Norma Bianchini, five children & two step-sons. Cecelia McDonald, Alexis Zoch (Carl), Paul Bianchini (Mary), Dennis Bianchini, Elaine Dean, Larry Comstock (Geri) & Tom Comstock (Linda).
Dad was blessed with 17 grandkids and 33 great-grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Gaetano & Rafaela Francomano; his parents, Angelo & Teresa Bianchini, his wife, Dorothy as well as his brother, Armond ‘Brother’ Bianchini .
“Thank You” to the entire staff at Birchview for being such great friends and family to dad the past two years and to Hospice of the Northwest.
A Celebration of Dad’s life will be held at Lemley Chapel on Saturday, March 16, 2013, at 10 a.m.
A reception will follow immediately after at the Immaculate Heart of Mary’s Parrish Hall on Ferry Street, Sedro Woolley.
The family suggests memorials in Dad’s name to either the Clear Lake or Concrete Volunteer Fire Departments.
I ran into Fred’s son Paul today at Cascade Supply. This got me thinking of Freddie, thus the late entry into this quest book.
As a kid growing up in “East” Concrete during the 50’s and 60’s, I crossed paths with Fed many times. Walking to school at the old Concrete Elementary Buildings from 1956-1964 brought me through town on a regular basis, past the Police Station and down Main Street. He always offered a friendly wave.
I also remember him as a Little League Baseball coach, well liked by all his players. He was always kind and had an unforgettable laugh. Freddie is a great memory from my early life. He is missed.
I guess that I always thought of him as one of my uncles..not as a cousin..because he and “Army” were older, and grown up when I was just a kid. We spent a lot of time together, being a typical Italian extended family. They were my heroes, those guys, and hauled me around town with them. I am so sorry to see them go, one by one. I will miss those old family get-togethers always, and cherish the memories. The trips to swim at Everett Lake, playing with his children when they were little..we had some great times. When he became Cheif of Police, he never “picked me up ” either-I knew I had it made!! Family first!! Rest in peace, cousin, you will be sorely missed. Another Concrete icon gone, but never forgotten.
Lord please bring comfort to the entire family and give them peace. Rest in Peace Fred. We hope you have a wonderful reunion with those that went before you and hope to renite with you too one day.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May your Faith,Family,Friends and MANY Happy Memories help you in the days to come. You have a Very Special Guardian Angel looking down on you 24/7. Take Care.
Sending my deepest sympathy for the entire family, May all of you be blessed with many wonderful memories!
We are sad to learn of Freddie’s passing. He was a schoolmate of my Mom’s and a stalwart example of a wonderful, Concrete citizen. Fred gave me my driver’s test and I’m sure he’d be pleased to learn that he taught me so well I’ve never had a ticket in my fifty years of driving! ; )
I am sure that he is having a wonderful family reunion with his folks, “Brother”, Uncle Albert, Patsy, Grandpa and Grandma Frank … and the list goes on. I’ll watch for a new star in the evening sky and think of Freddie, as well as his wonderful family, as it shines brightly each evening.
Our sympathy is extended to each and every one of you.
What a wonderful long, loving life Fred had. I do remember him as Police Chief when I was a young girl staying with my Grandparents, Fred & Helen Bailey. He always had a big smile & a hearty “Hello” for us. My Grandpa
Fred worked for years at Superior Cement Co. as well, having retired from there too. I have a feeling that there is a mighty big “Welcome” party going on with all my relatives greeting your Fred!