John Benincasa, age 87, of Alliance, passed away at 10:40 a.m., Sunday, March 30, 2014, at his home.
He was born November 11, 1926, in Star City, West Virginia, a suburb of Morgantown, to Joe and Betty (Bitonti) Benincasa.
John and his family came to Alliance in the mid 1930's and graduated from Alliance High School in 1944 and from Mount Union College in 1949 with a bachelor of arts in economics. He was a lifelong member of Union Avenue United Methodist Church.
In 1994 he was elected to his current position as President of Alliance City Council. Along with Alliance City Council president, he currently served as chairman of the Stark County Transportation Improvement District and president of the Questors Men's Club. John was the city of Alliances' former safety service director, council clerk and commissioner with Alliance City Parks, Recreation and Cemetery boards. He also served as a member of Alliance Jaycees, board member of the Carnation Festival, helped organize and manage the Carnation City Triathlon/Duathlon for 25 years, member of Kiwanis Board, President of the Stark County National Association of Accountants and a board member of the Alliance Area Family YMCA, serving as project coordinator for the $2.5 million addition in 1998.
John was a veteran of the United States Army having served during World War II.
Survivors include his wife, Jacqueline (Anderson) Benincasa whom he married March 1950; son, Timothy C. Benincasa of Lexington, KY and J. Scott Benincasa of Alliance; three grandchildren, Amy (Aaron) Maslin of Plainfield, Il, Emily (Andrew) Chervenak of Cleveland and Victoria Benincasa of San Francisco, Ca; and two great-grandchildren, Jacquelin Maslin and Alexander Maslin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Douglas Benincasa
Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, April 4, 2014, at Christ United Methodist Church with Rev. Coralee Cox and Dr. Kenneth W. Chalker, co-officiating officiating. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 3, 2014, at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Highland Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Kidney Foundation 2831 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115.
Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home 75 S. Union Ave., Alliance, OH 44601.