Columbus, OH — Walter B. Bianconi, the father of longtime Northfield Park director of racing operations Dave Bianconi,died Oct. 8, 2023, at his home, in Barberton, Ohio.
Dr. Bianconi was born in 1930, the only child of Giuseppe and Annunziata Bianconi, who both immigrated to the United States from Italy. The family lived initially in Searight, Pa., a coal-mining patch. From the age of 8, he never stopped working, holding multiple jobs including grocery delivery boy, soda jerk, lifeguard, farm laborer, road crew, and Anchor Hocking warehouse worker. Even as a child and throughout his life, he helped his parents navigate their English-speaking world. He graduated from Connellsville (Pa.) High School at 16 and was awarded a scholarship to attend the University of Pittsburgh, where he met his future wife, Adele (née Marraccini), whom he married in 1955, the same year he graduated from the medical school at Pitt.
After serving in the United States Navy for two years, Dr. Bianconi moved his family to Barberton, where he practiced family medicine in partnership with the late Francis Cleary, M.D., for 34 years and served on the staff of the Barberton Citizens Hospital (now Summa Barberton) for 43 years. He also held a part-time teaching position for 20 years.
Following retirement, the Bianconis traveled extensively in Europe, often on overseas duplicate bridge tours. For both of them, bridge was a passion and a pleasure, whether played with friends, as they did enthusiastically for many years, or in the more structured world of competitive bridge. Each achieved the rank of Silver Life Master.
When not working, Dr. Bianconi was with his family, fishing, birding, teaching the children to swim, introducing everyone to his enthusiasm for the natural world, making silly jokes. He would say that being a forest ranger was his alternate career.
Dr. Bianconi is survived by his children, Susan (Robert), Patricia, Michael (Yocasta), Mary, Laura and David (Jennifer); and grandchildren, Robyn, Andrew (Ashley), James, Stephen, Elena and Vilavy. In addition to his wife, who died in 2015, he was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Pamela.
Family and friends may call on Monday (Oct. 16) from 4-7 p.m. with a short memorial following at Campfield-Hickman-Collier, 566 West Park Street, Barberton, OH 44203. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dr. Bianconi’s memory to Haven of Rest (serving the homeless), Akron, Ohio; and The National Audubon Society.