Clarence J. “Binks” Bianco
November 29, 1933 -
November 12, 2018
US Veteran
Clarence J. “Binks” Bianco, age 84 of Kenosha, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, November 12, 2018 at Froedtert South – Kenosha Hospital Campus.
Born in Kenosha on November 29, 1933, he was the son of the late Salvatore and Adele (Bauschelt) Bianco. Clarence graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1952. In 1956, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from U.W.-Whitewater and his Master’s Degree from U.W.-Milwaukee. From 1956 to 1958, Clarence honorably served in the U.S. Navy.
On May 4, 1957 he married Mary Ellen Pingitore at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church.
Clarence began his teaching career in 1957 in Round Lake, IL and also taught in Kenosha and Racine. In 1967, he became an administrator of Special Education in Racine, retiring as co-director in 1990. Throughout his career, Clarence made a huge impact on the lives of children with special needs.
For more than 50 years, Clarence was an active member of St. Peters Catholic Church. He was also a member of Roma Lodge in Racine. Clarence was very dedicated to his family, church and community; especially the homeless.
As a diehard Chicago Cubs fan since 1944, he finally saw them win the World Series Championship in 2016. He went to frequent games at Wrigley Field and traveled to Arizona for spring training. In the winter, Clarence went to Madison to frequently cheer for the Wisconsin Badgers and faithfully watched the Green Bay Packers from his favorite chair.
He always kept on current events, reading three newspapers daily. Clarence also enjoyed playing cards, bowling and trying his luck at casinos.
Clarence is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mary Ellen Bianco; his four children, Laura Bianco of Kenosha, Carolyn (Jeffrey) Wilkins of Caledonia, Paul (Peggy O’Callaghan) Bianco of Glenview, IL and Peter Bianco of Racine; four grandchildren, Garrett and Ethan Wilkins and Lauren and Sam Bianco.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Bernard Bianco; a sister, Anita Perri; and his father and mother in law, Frank and Caroline Pingitore.
Service Info
Funeral Services honoring Clarence’s life will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2018. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 2224 30th Avenue. Relatives and friends are asked to meet at church for the Mass. Entombment will follow in Green Ridge Cemetery.
Posted by:
Amy M RandolphClarence Bianco recruited me for my first teaching job in 1974, and provided help and support as long as he remained with RUSD. I remember his wonderful smile and his rapport with teachers and students. We addressed him as "Clarence," with respect. He was the only RUSD Central Office administrator that I knew who got down into the trenches with the teachers. He dropped in on my classroom now and then to see how I and my students were doing. He organized and attended regular teacher support meetings. He was always there when you needed help. I left special education teaching shortly after he retired. His memory will remain alive with me forever.
Posted by:
patrick knowlesWishing Fair Winds and Following Seas to one of the nicest, most personable men I've ever known. Very Respectfully, Dr. Patrick (Pat) Knowles, Fond du Lac
Posted by:
JoAnne RubjergAs I was reading my cousin's obituary once again this morning, I was reminded with much warmth of the times he and I would talk of those matters only educators care to muse about. Being a teacher who often had special needs children in my classroom, I was always so proud of sharing with Binks as the head educator of such children for an entire school district as large as Racine Unified. Then I was reminded of his commitment to the homeless and my respect for him was elevated to the next level. This was something cousin Binks did not talk about. He just did it. He and cousin Maryellen were so faithful to the cause of the less fortunate and did it without seeking applause from others. I am smiling now as I write this....so proud to your cousin!
To the entire Bianco family, friends, and others who knew and treasured Binks. My first encounter with Clarence was when I was in elementary school in the late 60s/early 70s. As a deaf individual and someone who needed a strong advocacy for supporting my needs as well as keeping me mainstreamed in the Racine unified school system, I am more than grateful for Clarence and all he had done in the day. I still remember the day when he came to my home to take me to school because the busing system only drove by, honked horn, and left -- Clarence realized that this was inappropriate and saw to it that they fixed that. That level of personal attention is almost unheard of these days... In my later years when I was employed by RUSD, I had the luxury of crossing paths with Clarence again -- he always spoke well of his family and friends, and showed me one of his pride and joys, an old Metro that comfortably sat in the 1/2 car space in his garage. Clarence embraced life in such a way that his compassion and empathy for others easily rubbed off. He led by example, and naturally, he will be sorely missed. Our deepest condolences.
