John Paul Benevides

With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing on August 3, 2023, of John Paul Benevides—loving husband to Selena (Colbert), father to John (Kerry) and Beth, grandfather to Alexa (Sean), Nicholas, Sophia, Kyle and Maura, and great-grandfather to newborn Rowan; proud veteran, talented computer engineer, devoted Catholic, and active community volunteer; and, quite simply, the kindest of souls. He will forever be remembered as a gentle, quiet man, uncommonly modest despite his many achievements. To his family he was and will remain their hero.

John served his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of Major during his dedicated 21 years of service. After retiring from the military, he continued his contribution to the nation as a defense contractor at the National Security Agency at Fort George G. Meade for an equal number of years.

An accomplished scholar, John earned a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Arizona State University, a Master’s degree in computer science from the University of Southern California, and a Master’s degree in computer systems management from The Johns Hopkins University. His passion for knowledge extended further as he pursued doctoral studies in computer science before devoting his time fully to his family, church, and community. He volunteered at the Anne Arundel County Public Library and was active at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Severn. He was a loving Pop and the best playmate to his grandchildren.  

John was born June 13, 1937, in Hilo, Hawaii, the youngest of ten children to Jacinth (George) Pedro and Isabella Mendonca Benevides. He was the first of his family to attend college, and inspired many nieces and nephews to follow in his footsteps. He left the island at the age of 18, and returned home frequently, staying devoted and connected to his large, extended family through the years. He longed to return to Hawaii despite his ever-progressing pulmonary fibrosis.

John will be remembered by family and friends for his deep faith, his ability to play chess, Scrabble, cribbage, Connect Four, or poker for hours on end, his Aloha-shirt attire, and his absolute love of ice cream. He was a lifelong, loyal fan of both the San Francisco 49ers and LA Dodgers.

May his memory remind us to live simply and without worry, to put our faith in God, and to love and serve others.

A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 801 Stevenson Road, Severn, Maryland, 21144. A breakfast reception will immediately follow. Interment will be private.