April 7, 1934 - April 26, 2012
Jean J. Irola passed away on April 26, 2012. He is survived by his three children Alain Irola, Gisele Stuewe and Jan Irola, Jr. and also a granddaughter, Brianna Stuewe. He passed away peacefully with his family at his side after a brief battle with melanoma.
Jean came to the U.S in 1951 from Bardos, France where he apprenticed in a culinary program. After meeting his wife, Germaine "Gigi", he opened his first restaurant in Los Angeles at the age of 22. They moved to the Inland Empire in 1965 with their three children where they purchased the Thorpes Coffee Shop. After 5 years of introducing French cuisine to their patrons, the restaurant was remodeled and renamed Jean's French Restaurant. He has been a successful Chef for over 50 years and received numerous awards for the culinary feats and was recently awarded Best in Dining for 2012 in the February issue of Inland Empire magazine.
He greeted everyone he met with a charming smile, kindness and compassion. He loved people and was always making new friends, whether it be while traveling on vacation or going to try out a new restaurant in L.A. or Orange County. He loved what he did and continued to work until his 78th birthday saying that he would be lost if he had retired and was not able to continue to provide the community with his new creations. His wonderful staff, Edelmira, Andy, Blanca, Rosie, Jessica and Maria have also been his family over the past 25 + years and he has credited them also for the success of the restaurant. His passing creates a deep void in the lives of all who loved him. He will be greatly missed and we will forever keep him in our hearts as our father, grandfather and friend.
A memorial mass will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, May 7th at the Montecito Memorial Park Valley View Chapel in Colton and a viewing will be on Sunday, May 6th from 4-8 P.M. with a Rosary being said at 6 P.M. also in the Chapel.
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