Fred L. Benassi

Beloved Husband of Carol (nee Holtz) Benassi. Fred and Carol were married in 2017 after a two-year friendship. Both Fred and Carol had sadly lost their long-time marital partners after illness. They considered themselves fortunate to have found one another in their later years. They are both long-term residents of the O’Fallon area.

Fred is the son of the late Alfonso “Fred” Ciro and the late Ruby Anna (nee Rothwell) Benassi. Beloved Husband and Widower of the late Therese Marie (nee Thomann) Benassi married for 52 years from 5/9/59 to 3/9/2012 when she passed. They had three children; Dennis Charles (Carlin) Benassi, Therese “Terri” Ann (Mark) Mohan, and the late Michael Joseph Benassi who was tragically lost in an accident at sixteen. Fred is the Grandfather of Gabrielle (Jacob) Lucas, Monica Benassi, and Blake Benassi – Francis Mohan, Patrick (Mandy) Mohan and Daniel Mohan. Great Grandfather of William and Isabel Lucas and Max Mohan. He is the Brother of Dennis (Marilyn) Benassi and Terry (Susan) Benassi. Brother-in-law to the late Paul and the late Maureen; the late Pat Thomann, Patricia and Richard Koenig, the late Mary and the late Gerry Becker, the late Joe and Pam Thomann, the late David and Patty Thomann.

Fred is a graduate of Soldan Blewett High School and Washington University in St. Louis where he played football alongside his brother Dennis. Fred was a 25 year member of the St. Louis Bombers Rugby Football Club and joined his brother Terry in the Bomber’s Hall of Fame with his 2016 induction.

Fred grew up in the city at Hamilton Avenue and Page Boulevard. He remained close with those that he grew up with on “The Corner”; establishing and running “The Corner Golf Tournament” for many years while living with his family in Bridgeton before being displaced as a result of the airport expansion.

Fred was an Eagle Scout and participated in the National Jamboree at Valley Forge. He served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Salem, a Heavy Cruiser and toured the Mediterranean as the flagship of the US Sixth Fleet. During his time aboard the USS Salem, he and several crew mates were featured in a Chrysler advertisement in the center spread of Life Magazine.

Fred was an avid sports fan beginning with the St. Louis Browns baseball team, St. Louis Flyers hockey team and St. Louis Hawks basketball team which were followed by the Cardinals baseball team and the Cardinals football team which he and his brothers were long term season ticket holders, as well as the Blues and the Rams. Fred was an avid golfer and frequently played at Berry Hill in Bridgeton and later at The Links of Dardeen in O’Fallon. Fred also played in the men’s softball league at BMAC in Bridgeton. He was also a Golden Gloves Boxing Champion. He enjoyed attending the various sporting events and school activities of all six of his Grandchildren.

The North Shore of Kauai was a special place for Fred and Therese as a result of their long-term timeshare at Princeville where they took many trips over the years, often bringing family and friends along with them.

Fred’s father owned and operated the Shamrock Cocktail Lounge and Fred was a member of the Fratellanza Society.

Prior to becoming an Independent Representative in the Office Furniture Industry, Fred worked alongside his brother Terry for their Uncle Art at the St. Louis Typewriter and Office Equipment Company. 

Dear nephew, uncle, great-uncle, cousin and friend to many