Egidio Bianchet

Egidio Osvaldo Bianchet was born on March 1, 1924, the second of six siblings, in Cordenons, in the province of Udine, Italy, to parents Giuseppe and Anna. Eldest brother Gerardo was killed in 1945 while serving in WWII. Egidio worked in France and Switzerland prior to marrying Elsa Celestina Zucchet in his hometown on March 9, 1957. Both continued to work in Switzerland, separately and together, at various times after they were married.

Returning back together to Cordenons in May 1958, they soon after welcomed their first child, daughter Ivana Maria Bianchet, on July 12, 1958. With his wife and young daughter, Egidio immigrated to Canada in April 1960. Joining brothers Federico and Eugenio and their wives, who had already made the journey to Canada several years prior, they made their first Canadian home alongside their close relatives in North Bay, Ontario. After working in construction with his brothers for several years, Egidio found a job with CN Rail in Toronto, and moved his family there in the autumn of 1963. On June 19 of the following year, son Stephen would join his older sister when be was born to the couple. Egidio would work at CN primarily as a carman at the MacMillan Yard just north of Toronto until his retirement in 1989.

In retirement, Egidio would devote much more time towards his passions for gardening and winemaking, and also enjoyed playing bocce as well as teaching himself how to play the guitar. He enjoyed the company and conversation of many relatives and friends over the years. He passed away of a sudden illness on February 21, 2022 during a stay at Etobicoke General Hospital in Toronto. He is predeceased by daugher Ivana on August 21, 2005, and survived by wife Elsa and son Stephen, as well as sister Marianna and brother Vito in Italy. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider donating to your favourite charity in memory of Egidio.