RIP Jonno Waters

J

Jim Hanlon

Jim Hanlon
I learned that Jonathan "Jonno" Waters of Chez Panisse died last weekend in Berkeley while biking home after work. Figure some on here may have known or met him. He led the wine program there, and worked at Chez for more than three decades. I only spent time with him once, at a dinner party years ago, but he was a brilliant guest. When everyone got hungry again late in the evening while drinking (more) wine, he made an impromptu dish in the host's kitchen of pasta, anchovies, cauliflower, pepper flakes, olive oil, and pecorino that was delicious. Some of the best drunken food I've had. Condolences to those who knew him.
 
I met him a couple of times. The most memorable was in 2011 when a couple of friends (both ITB) and I went to see Wayne Shorter in Davis. When the show let out, one friend called Jonathan and said if it was ok, we could get to the Cafe just shortly before closing. He happily held a table for us. We flew low down I-80 and made it just in time.

We looked at the wine list and spotted a Raveneau grand cru (08 Valmur, perhaps?) for $180. We decided to be adults and spring for it. Jonathan seemed pleased that we spotted it. He was our waiter for that meal. Quite a guy.

RIP
 
Really sad, awful story. I knew him for quite a long time, and I'm just aghast at what happened. I'm told it was a hit and run, as if it weren't already sad enough. He was a good guy and deserved better.
 
originally posted by Steve Edmunds:
Really sad, awful story. I knew him for quite a long time, and I'm just aghast at what happened. I'm told it was a hit and run, as if it weren't already sad enough. He was a good guy and deserved better.
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We all deserve better.
You know how close you came . . . you are not the only one.

For some years now I have lived with this phrase in my head . . . “Only the rocks live forever. Therefore, it matters not how long we live but how.”

I think we, and a few other folks we know, have the “how” well in hand.
Namaste, my friend.
 
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
While the topic is up, I just read that Sean Thackrey passed on May 30. An icon and iconoclast.
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While I know that you’re dealing in metaphor, this conjures up a most bizarre image. RIP Sean Thackery and Jonathan Waters.

Mark Lipton
 
Sad. Too many pedestrians and bicyclists being slain on the roads these days. Numbers going up every year.
 
I was so saddened to see this. I used to run into Jonathan at trade tastings and often saw him when we went to Chez Panisse. It was such a pleasure to exchange observations with him. I hadn't known until the obituary today that his brother was the actor Mark Rylance.

I hadn't known that this was a hit-and-run. The aggressiveness of drivers in the Bay Area is what caused me to give up running in San Francisco four years ago.
 
originally posted by Steve Edmunds:
Really sad, awful story. I knew him for quite a long time, and I'm just aghast at what happened. I'm told it was a hit and run, as if it weren't already sad enough. He was a good guy and deserved better.
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Jonno was a dear acquaintance for over two decades. It was a shock to hear. I spoke to one of his closest friends today; everyone is truly devastated. He will be missed.
 
originally posted by Claude Kolm:
I was so saddened to see this. I used to run into Jonathan at trade tastings and often saw him when we went to Chez Panisse. It was such a pleasure to exchange observations with him. I hadn't known until the obituary today that his brother was the actor Mark Rylance.

I hadn't known that this was a hit-and-run. The aggressiveness of drivers in the Bay Area is what caused me to give up running in San Francisco four years ago.
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So sad to hear about this, and it is true that Bay Area drivers have gotten extremely aggressive over the years.

Last year I was riding my bike and almost got hit by a car driving the wrong way in a one way egress out to Valencia St. I flew off my bike as I braked to avoid getting hit. As I was getting up and yelling at the driver, the guy charged out of his car and shoved me to the ground.

I haven't been riding my bike much lately.

Be careful out there. We are living in a crazy world getting crazier by the minute.
 
originally posted by Steve Edmunds:
I'm told it was a hit and run, as if it weren't already sad enough. He was a good guy and deserved better.
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The SF Chronicle has reported that the driver stayed on the scene, that Jonathan turned left in front of the driver's van (video confirmation), and that the driver will not be charged.
 
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