Jerry “Chicken Man” Rinando, 41, died Monday, February 2, 2004 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
A resident of Lumberton, he was fondly known as “Chicken Man” or, by a few, as “White Winged Warrior”. If it has to be explained, you wouldn’t understand.
An avid motorcycle lover, repairing and talking about bikes were his passion—next to his love of specialty foods, especially those that depicted his Italian, Cajun and Scottish heritage. The consummate storyteller, Chicken always had a hearty laugh as he often told stories, so incredible and vivid, they had to be true.
His job interest and skills varied from supervisor of grounds-keeping at several golf courses in the Beaumont area to repairing motorcycles and cars. Civic-minded, Chicken often engaged in political debate about government and liberty. However, his “self-edumacation” not only focused on public policy but also on those unique elements of life like the number “googleplex” or “MacGuyver”-like tips.
Husband to Cindy “Peach” Rinando, whom he had been with since they were teenagers, and father to adoring children; son, Josie Wayne Cole-Rinando and daughter, Shara Rinando, Chicken was proud of his family and his lifelong friends.
Born in Beaumont, he was one of eight children and is preceded in death by his father Frank Rinando, step-father Anthony Barranco and fallen brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his mother, Mary Sue McDougle Barranco of Beaumont; sisters, Sarah Tate and her husband, Barry of Monroe, Louisiana, Connie Rinando of Beaumont, Happy Barranco of Germany and her husband, CPT Bret Woolcock, deployed to Iraq, and Miriam Barranco of Alexandria, Virginia, brothers, Lucian Rinando and his life partner Sam Magill of New York, New York, Nino Barranco of Alexandria, Virginia and Guiseppe Barranco of Beaumont; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and special friends that he considered family.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 6, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday evening, February 5, at the mortuary from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with stories and memories of Chicken being shared at 7:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jerry Rinando Children’s Trust, 936 Parkmeadow, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
“Keep the faith.”
