John M. Benda, 64, of Chicago, IL, passed away on Friday, January 1, 2021 surrounded by his family after a year-long battle with cancer. Born in Chicago, IL, John resided in New Jersey for 48 years before moving back to Chicago in 2017. John earned his BA from The College of New Jersey, his MBA from Kean University- both while working full time and raising his family. John spent his early career at BOC Gases then went on to work for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield for 12 years, and Central States Funds for the last three years. John loved to travel and visit new places - both of which satisfied his curious nature and adventurous spirit. He enjoyed physical activity - running marathons, cycling, and practicing yoga. John was an avid baker, often recreating recipes passed down from his mother and grandmother. When John was undergoing chemo, he would often make banana bread or cookies to bring in to his nurses. He was a good teacher and always wanted to help you learn something new. John was generous with his time. He would willingly give up a weekend to help a friend hang sheetrock, paint, or tackle landscaping projects - all skills he learned while working construction during his younger years. After moving back to Chicago, he rediscovered his love for sailing and joined races on Lake Michigan. He is preceded in death by his beloved mother Hermine Ksellmann Benda. Surviving are his dear father John M. Benda; three loving daughters, Melanie Benda Joubert and Jason of Wakefield, RI; Stephanie Benda Lynch and James of Somerville, NJ; and Destiny Benda Renninger and Timothy of Bensalem, PA; former wife and mother of daughters Bernadette Sterlacci Benda of Lambertville, NJ; sisters, Karen Karmazin Benda of Hamilton, NJ;and Christine Roberts Benda of Milford, NJ; long time girlfriend, Erica D'Souza of Austin, TX and two adored grandchildren, Lily Pollock Benda and Maximus Ryan Renninger. Memorial contributions may be made in John's Memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Fund www.pancan.org. Committal is private.