John Benassi, 1948-2008

John Benassi, a veteran intellectual property attorney in San Diego, died at the age of 59 on Saturday.

[Ken DAlessandro]

I knew John since my early days at Lyon & Lyon in Los Angeles in 1980. John approached everything in life with a zest that left most other people in the dust. In my mind I can still hear his laugh that anyone who knew him would instantly recognize. In his law practice he was "good with an axe" as he reminded others how his name translates into English, yet in his personal life he was as warm and gentle as any person I have ever met. He will be dearly missed.

[Ruth Sumpter Adams]

No way...I don't believe it.... Why?

[Rita Benassi-Hardy]

John Benassi was my brother in law and the uncle to my children Ryan and Amanda. He was a wonderful person who loved life, and adored his wife and children and his immediate family. He had a wonderful since of humor, a contegious laugh and was one of the smartest people I have ever known. We will all miss him but will never forget him, he lives on through his family and all of the wonderful memories he has left us all with. God Bless you and Keep you John, may his light shine upon you as you live with him in heaven.

[Greg Benassi]

This is the Eulogy for my brother John Benassi
I wrote this with all intentions of reading it at the service and just found it was too hard. Therefore I thought it appropriate to post it here to share with everyone that knew and loved him like we do.
John Benassi
We are here today to pay our last respects to John Benassi:
Who was taken very suddenly to be with the Lord
John was a gladiator in a Lawyer's body
When he was Lawyer John, he was a lawyer from head to toe, he was very smart in his head, but more importantly he played his game with a BIG heart.
He always gave it 100%, John knew the object of the game(to win!!), to beat the other guy (but by doing it fairly).
He was there to compete to win in head to head combat. I'm sure he would have perfected it hand to hand just like a Gladiator!
For me however it;s more fitting and proper to remember him as a husband, father,brother and loving son.
Surrounded by his young and beloved family who he leaves behind his legacy.
Although the demands for being a lawyer filled his days with endless hours of labor, he always made time for his tow young son's Chris and Max.
These times are extremely difficult for Marian, Chris and Max more difficult than for others. I know the people in John's life will always be there to help support his family.
In John's final hour one of his grates fulfillments was biking and doing this with his son Max.
He was always working his heart for another good cause, he had nothing more to give this day on August 2, 2008 and the good Lord called him home.
We will all miss him greatly!
Greg Benassi

[Greg Benassi]

This is the Eulogy for my brother John Benassi
I wrote this with all intentions of reading it at the service and just found it was too hard. Therefore I thought it appropriate to post it here to share with everyone that knew and loved him like we do.
John Benassi
We are here today to pay our last respects to John Benassi:
Who was taken very suddenly to be with the Lord
John was a gladiator in a Lawyer's body
When he was Lawyer John, he was a lawyer from head to toe, he was very smart in his head, but more importantly he played his game with a BIG heart.
He always gave it 100%, John knew the object of the game(to win!!), to beat the other guy (but by doing it fairly).
He was there to compete to win in head to head combat. I'm sure he would have preferred it hand to hand just like a Gladiator!
For me however it's more fitting and proper to remember him as a husband, father,brother and loving son.
Surrounded by his young and beloved family who he leaves behind his legacy.
Although the demands for being a lawyer filled his days with endless hours of labor, he always made time for his two young son's Chris and Max.
These times are extremely difficult for Marian, Chris and Max more difficult than for others. I know the people in John's life will always be there to help support his family.
In John's final hour one of his greatest fulfillments was biking and doing things with his son Max and Chris.
He was always working his heart for another good cause, he had nothing more to give this day on August 2, 2008 and the good Lord called him home.
We will all miss him greatly!
Greg Benassi

[Greg]

John loved Rome,and his passion for the Gladiators is a story a lot of you may not know. Therefore his family has decided that a few of his ashes will be spread at the Coliseum in Rome where John will always be the TRUE GLADIATOR he was.

[Lillian Tostado]

I met John in January of 1982, His laugh was heard everywhere and you could not help but laugh and smile. That was John. He was always working but at the same time he always had time to talk about his boys. I remember when I had the honor of being there at Marian and John's wedding. Talk about a Cinderalla wedding with a castle and a knight and shinning armor. I remember it like it was yesterday. My prayers are with Marian and the boys Chris and Max. My you find comfort that he is up there with Our Lord and as he approaches the Gates of his new home words will be saying to John "Well done my good and faithful servant." May God Bless you all. Lillian Tostado

[John Chamberlin]

I met John in 1959 when his family moved to the US and he became a classmate at Immaculate Conception Grammar school in Highland Park, Illinois. I recall that John spoke no English as he entered the 5th grade but whatever teasing he may have suffred from his classates did not seem to affect him adversely. I remember someone who was always smiling and good-natured. Moreover given the total immersion in English (the nuns made no special accomodations)--a concept used commonly today to teach a new language--John ( a very smart person as his life would attest) was fully fluent by the end of 6th grade. As our friend Carl Carani reminded me last Wednesday night as we reminisced about John, with our classmates Mike Cortesi and Dick Van Arsdale, John was already using his formidable intelligence and powers of logic to infuriate (without malice) the nuns with the very practical common-sense questions which challneged their dogmatic Catholic views.
After graduating in 1962 we went separate ways and I had no contaft with him for 30 + years--until someone pulled together a 30th reunion party in 1992 and reproted him living in the LA area. I got the address as I have a brother living in the area. Several years later, on the occasion of a vist with my brother, I contacted John and he had me out to his home in Pacific Palisdaes for dinner. We enjoyed a pleasant evening reviewing the last 30 years of our lives. I found his much more impressive than mine, especially given the differnce in starting pints.
Like John's parents, my Mother (now 96) is still living near the Illinois town where he was raised. As I go to visit her every 2-3 months, I happened to be in town this past Spring on the occasion of John's return (with his wife and children) to celebrate his folks' 65th(?) wedding anniversary, at the Boccie club in Highwood. John asked me to stop by and so I got to meet his folks as well as his wife and two sons. John was as large and exuberant as the previous posters have described him. It is hard to believe that death has claimed him so shortly thereafter.
I extend my condolences to his parents, to his wife and sons, and to the rest of his family.

[Ken Wilson]

John was a generous person and truly cared about people. He didn't care if you were financaily successful, he just enjoyed hearing a story or telling one. I remembered calling him one day in need and he quickly came to my rescue. I was shocked because I didn't realize attorney's could be so generous. He had nothing to gain by helping me out, and didn't know me at the time. He came to my rescue several times in my career in a big way and never ask to be repaid. I was thinking of calling him today to ask another big favor and before I could get his name out, someone broke the news to me. I am really sad as I write this and wish that he is in a better place. I will say a prayer tonight for him and his family.

[Shohreh Bates]

John, you were one of the kindest, smartest and funniest people I have ever met. Thank you for being such a good boss..........I am sorry that you had to leave your family and all those who loved you so soon. I shall always remember you at your happiest when you were windsurfing!!