Obituaries/Services

John Benenati

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Obituary For John Benenati

John Benenati was born on July 20, 1930 and passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 22nd. Raised in Park Slope, Brooklyn, John was one of seven children of Anna and Sebastian Benenati.

John was a fixture of his Park Slope community. He connected easily with others and was a great story teller. John loved sports and was very competitive. This competitive spirit carried over to bocce ball, cards, and the race track. At the age of 94, John continued to maintain a vibrant social life, and he lived independently in the walk-up apartment he raised his family. He and his best friend, Louie Borelli, also in his 90s, would drive around the neighborhood to catch up with friends and run errands.

John was a deeply sentimental person, someone who found meaning in the smallest tokens of life. Over the years, he saved everything — cards from birthdays long past, handwritten letters, faded photographs, and little pieces of memorabilia that others might have thrown away without a second thought. His attachment to these objects wasn’t about the things themselves, but the memories they carried.

Above all else, John was a family man. He enjoyed participating in the annual Benenati picnic at Belmont Lake State Park for over 50 years. This tradition was started by him and his siblings and grew to include over 100 family members. He also loved cooking for his family and was known for his delicious seafood dishes and pasta with homemade pesto sauce. Around the holidays, his grandchildren remember fondly the beautiful Winter Village he would set up for them under the Christmas tree.

He married Jean Angelina on June 20th, 1959 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Park Slope, Brooklyn. He had three children: Doreen, John and Joanne and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Jean and grandson Anthony Liubicich.

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In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John’s name to the following charities:

Calvary Hospital: https://calvaryhospital.org/

Our Lady of Peace Church: https://ourladyofpeace-brooklyn.org/

American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/

American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/

Invictus Bakery: http://Invictusbakery.org

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Visitation at Church:

Saturday, June 28, 2025

9:00 am ~ 9:45 am

Mass to follow at church.

Mass of Christian Burial:

Saturday, June 28, 2025, 10:00 am

Our Lady of Peace Church

Brooklyn, NY

Interment:

Green~Wood Cemetery

Brooklyn, NY

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Tributes

  • The Loving Light Dishgarden

    The Loving Light Dishgarden was sent for John Benenati - 06/28/2025

Condolences

  • 06/27/2025

    Annabelle Rodriguez

    What a beautiful smile !! A few days after his anniversary, he went to meet his precious bride again. Didn't know they got married at St John the Evangelist... my condolences to an amazing family. Pray you know it is written in 2 Corinthians 5:8 "Absent from the body, present with the Lord". May he rest with Jean, Anthony and my mom - Marie in everlasting peace. God bless!!! Love Annabelle, Hector & family xoxo

  • 06/27/2025

    Luciano Benenati

    My dad, John Benenati, was John's uncle; I have great memories of him as I was growing up. As a kid we used come up from Washington. DC for all the big events. I loved seeing him and his brothers interact with each other, always full of love and laughter.

  • 06/27/2025

    Luciano Benenati

    My dad, John Benenati, was John's uncle; I have great memories of him as I was growing up. As a kid we used come up from Washington. DC for all the big events. I loved seeing him and his brothers interact with each other, always full of love and laughter.

  • 06/24/2025

    Annie and Tony Pellingra

    Our wonderful cousin John who always showed his concern for us through our sad times. We loved him and had wonderful conversations about family, politics and day-to-day life, and plenty of laughs. We will miss him but never forget our Cousin John. God bless your journey home to heaven Love and blessings, Annie and Tony Pellingra.