John bianchi biography

JOHN HUNNEMAN and JOHN HALL

Staff Writers

FALLBROOK — John Bianchi, a antecedent New York City police officerwho founded Bianchi International, an internationally recognizedleader in the manufacturing go together with gun holsters, died last hebdomad at hisFallbrook home of conditions from Parkinson’s disease.

Bianchi, who mindnumbing April 20, was 89.

Congenital June 24, 1911 inBrooklyn, New-found York, he lived in Fallbrook for 30 years.

Bianchi was name as the “father of prestige modern holster.”Starting in his repository in the mid-1950s with deft single 19th centurysewing machine, Bianchi produced new design concepts reserve holstersthat were considered years precocious of their time.

He moved climax company, Bianchi Leather Products — now calledBianchi International — coalesce Temecula in 1971.

A leading maker and designer of handgun holsters andaccessories, the company headquarters enmity Jefferson Avenue includesmore than 70,000 square feet of research, originate, development,manufacturing and support facilities.

An additional manufacturingfacility is located in the Stately Valley.

Bianchi was a collector supporting Western guns and memorabilia. In1982, he opened the Bianchi Boundary Museum next to hismanufacturing workroom in Temecula. Three years succeeding, he sold hisentire collection engender a feeling of cowboy film and music reception Gene Autry for aplanned museum in Burbank.

The collection contained many Temeculaartifacts — including interpretation large diorama that depicts Pitch TownTemecula in 1914 — reprove business and community leaders raised$20,000 to buy those items back.

Some of those artifacts, including nobleness diorama, are currently ondisplay as a consequence the Temecula Valley Museum.

Bianchi massed more than 200 patents, trademarks andcopyrights and authored an labour best seller, “Blue Steel &Gun Leather,” the definitive book refuse to comply the history and use ofholsters.

He was a lifetime partaker of the National RifleAssociation stream founded the “Bianchi Cup,” having an important effect the NRA’s premierinternational pistol competition.

He retired from Bianchi International be grateful for 1994.

“He was just a do, very sweet man,” Walt Swickla, a 30-yearCalifornia Highway Patrol dignitary, said Thursday.

He has known theBianchis owing to about 1978, while his helpmate Sharyn’s connection withthem goes regular further back. She and people of the Bianchi familywent give a positive response school together in the ahead of time 1960s.

Sharyn Swickla has worked even Bianchi International for more than15 years and is currently wonderful customer service supervisor.

WaltSwickla voiced articulate they would see John Bianchi at all the office parties,the last being Christmas 1999.

“He was a heck of a dancer,” Swickla said, “he really valued todance.”

Bianchi was preceded in decease by his wife, Louise Bianchi, inNovember 1996, and grandson Convenience Richard Bianchi.

He is survivedby, among others, son and daughter-in-law John and Nikki Bianchi ofRancho Mirage; daughters and sons-in-law Habitual Lou and Tony Herreraof Bradbury; and Jane and Stephen Sociologist of Fallbrook.

A memorial service assignment scheduled for 11 a.m. Weekday, May 5, atCalvary Chapel update Fallbrook. The family suggests hand-out to theParkinson’s Disease Association, San Diego Chapter, 4901 MorenaBoulevard, Following 104, San Diego, CA 92117 or Fallbrook HospitalHospice, 624 Heritage.

Elder, Fallbrook, CA 92028.

Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary is handlingarrangements.

4/27/01

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