[Stefano]

Thank you Guys, it is a very tragic loss for our family.

Cristiano Bimbi, age 55, of Grayslake, Illinois passed away peacefully surrounded by the presence and love of his family on June 9, 2023.

Beloved husband of Joni (McNeese) Bimbi, loving son of Domenico Bimbi and Valeria Bimbi, his mother preceded him in death and awaited their joy-filled reunion in Heaven, younger brother to Stefano (Beth) Bimbi and Viviana (Steve) Zimmerman, awesome Uncle to Stephanie, Dario and Olivia Bimbi, Derek, Blake, Briana and Grant Zimmerman and Great Uncle to Lillian Bimbi.
Cristiano was born May 18, 1968, in Highland Park, Illinois. He was the first of the Bimbi family to be born in the United States. He attended St. James School, Northwood Junior High, Highland Park High School where he played on the football team, and Western Illinois University where he served as President of Theta Chi Fraternity.

We fondly remember his meaningful life and his legacy of kindness, unique and meaningful connections with so many people, his devotion to his beautiful wife Joni of 23 years, and his love of their cats Sophie and Dakota. He had strong bonds with family here and in Europe and was loved by everyone. He created family in so many places!
Everyone who met Cris formed a connection with him - he was a truly great guy. He had a beautiful smile, a genuine concern for people, and the greatest sense of humor. He was our resident researcher, he savored drinking a good espresso, and spending time with family and friends around a meal that always came with a healthy serving of laughter. Cris was an avid automobile and motorcycle enthusiast and loved every minute that he spent riding his variety of motorcycles. “What’s one more bike?” He spent so many hours planning wonderful adventures with his “Ground Control Crew” who enjoyed riding with him. He was an amazing uncle and to his 7 nieces, nephews and his first great-niece. He cheered them on through their dance recitals, sports events, graduations, college endeavors, weddings and anything else they had going on. He was a huge supporter of each of them and made sure they always knew he was there for them.

In Cris’s 32-year career with State Farm, he excelled by being voted Best of the Fox, Best Insurance Agent in McHenry County for numerous consecutive years. His team - Kathy, Erica and Nancy - were family to him. His customers knew and loved Cris for always being on their side, caring deeply about them, and making sure they knew how much each of them was valued.
He had a passion for his “work home” in McHenry, where he served the McHenry Chamber of Commerce on the Board of Directors from 2017-2022, and as Chairman for 2022.
It is hard to put into words how profoundly each of us feels this loss. We will have to experience life without him, and our world will not be as bright without his generous, thoughtful, and fun-loving spirit.
Cris was known by everyone for his heart of gold, and it was his heart that eventually broke and left us with this unimaginable void. His life was cut short, but was incredibly well lived and we are all better for having known and loved him. Be blessed in Heaven Cris - We will miss you always and love you forever. Until we meet again - save us a seat at the table!

Please honor Cris with a donation to the American Heart Association. We need better methods of testing for heart disease and detecting issues earlier so that appropriate, life-saving measures can be more readily available.

Visitation will be held at Symond’s Funeral Home in Highwood, Illinois on Tuesday, June 13, from 4-9 p.m. His funeral mass will be celebrated at Christ Our Hope Parish (St. James Catholic Church) in Highwood at 10 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Ascension Catholic Cemetery in Libertyville, Illinois.