Emilio Renaldo Bianchi

Lt. Col. (RET) Emilio Renaldo Bianchi, 96, of Salisbury, a veteran of WWII and Korea, passed away Thursday, 18 October. Emilio or “B” as he was known to family and friends was born August 18, 1916 and grew up with five sisters and four brothers in Southington, Connecticut. He graduated from high school in 1933 and worked various jobs in construction and civil engineering including working in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) building the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut. “B” enlisted as a private in the United States Army in January 1941 and rose to the rank of Sergeant before being selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS) and being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in October 1942. He was assigned to the Army Air Corps and detailed to the Corps of Engineers and served as Engineer officer in support airfield construction, including the twin 8,400 foot runways on the island of Guam, in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He continued his career through the Korean War, where he was awarded the Chung Mu with Gold Star by the Republic of Korea, and various other assignments including Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Thule, Greenland, Fort Bragg, NC, Verdun, France and Fort Belvoir, VA. His awards include the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Defense medal. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He retired from active duty in September 1962 and returned to Salisbury, where he started a residential construction/realty business. He then moved to Alexandria, VA and began a career as a Civil Engineer with the District of Columbia, ultimately becoming a project manager for schools, police stations, and fire stations, for which he was named an Honorary Fire Chief. He retired in 1988, after 20 years’ service and returned to Salisbury in 2001. “B” is survived by his beloved wife and friend of 68 years, Frances (Fran) Goodnight Bianchi of Salisbury, his sisters, Agatha Mangini of Wallingford, Connecticut and Florence Santillo of Lake Worth, Florida, his sons Michael and wife Linda of Charlotte, NC, Emilio and wife Ann of Huntsville, AL, and daughter Ellen Ferguson and her Husband Kevin of Alexandria, VA, as well as eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sisters Bernadette Bianchi of St. Petersburg, Florida; Alice Abraham, of Danbury, CT and brothers, Dominick Bianchi, Anthony Trotta, Julio Trotta and Frank Bianchi and his dearly loved daughter Brenda. “B” was known for his sense of humor, his intelligence and his love for family. He and Fran established an annual one week family beach trip in 1987 for their children and grandchildren, which continue today. He and Fran are long-time members of John Calvin Presbyterian Church, in Salisbury. Visitation: 1:00pm, October 23, John Calvin Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall Service: 2:00pm, October 23, John Calvin Presbyterian Church, 1620 Brenner Ave, Salisbury, NC 28144 In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care in Salisbury, 720 Grove Street, Salisbury, NC 28144. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Bianchi family.

Emilio Renaldo Bianchi

August 18, 1916 - October 18, 2012