John Mario Benassi, 59; Attorney

John Mario Benassi, a former resident of Pacific Palisades, passed away suddenly on August 2. He was 59. Born September 21, 1948 and raised in the village of Roccapella, Italy, John immigrated with his family to Illinois in 1959. He attended the University of Illinois, where he earned a B.S. in engineering, and he graduated from George Washington University School of Law in 1974.’ After establishing his career in Los Angeles, John moved with his family to Rancho Santa Fe in 1995. John practiced emerging company counseling and intellectual property litigation for 31 years.’ He earned a well-deserved reputation as a go-to IP litigator, representing clients in both state and federal trials and appeals courts in technologies ranging from Internet commerce and semiconductors to medical devices and biotechnology.’ He loved the excitement of developing new businesses and was revered as a mentor by many.’ John loved his family above all.’ Whether watching his sons’ sports, spending time with his wife Marian and the boys at home, or savoring the joys of their garden, he made an indelible mark in their hearts and their lives. John was an expert in various forms of martial arts. He loved to bike and windsurf, and enjoyed all sports with his wife and’sons. Proud to be an American, John was also immensely proud of his Italian heritage and brought his family back to his childhood village every summer.’ In the Palisades, where they lived from 1988 to 1995, the Benassis were members of Corpus Christi Church and part of the original group of Las Casas/Grenola-loop families who began a baby group in 1990 that blossomed into a community of friends. John is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 20 years, Marian Roach Benassi; his sons Christopher (17) and Maximilian (16); his parents Louis and Josephine Benassi; his brothers Gregory Benassi and Anthony Benassi; and many loving nieces, nephews, family, and friends. John shared with everyone his love of life and his enthusiasm for learning. A funeral mass will be held at The Church of the Nativity, 6309 El Apajo Rd., Rancho Santa Fe, on Friday, August 8, at 10 a.m.’ The family requests that donations be made to The John Benassi Memorial Scholarship Fund (P.O. Box 2016, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 or to Kids Korps USA (65 Santa Helena, Suite 130-A, Solana Beach, CA 92075).