John A. Bisazza

1951 - 2008

BORN

1951

DIED

2008

John Bisazza Obituary

Beloved son and brother. A native of San Pedro, California, John was born January 4, 1951, and passed away July 8, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. Preceded in death by his father, John W. Bisazza; and his sister, Annette Harris. Survived by his mother, Mamie; brother, Robert, and brother-in-law, Dennis Harris. Also survived by his aunts and cousins. John attended Holy Trinity Elementary School and graduated from Fermin Lasuen High School in 1969. He received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Loyola Marymount University, and his Doctorate in Linguistics from the University of Hawaii (Manoa). For the past 26 years, John was a distinguished and respected professor of Linguistics and Neurolinguistics at Meiji Gakuin University in Tokyo. John authored and co-authored several books in his field of expertise, and wrote numerous articles about languages, their structures, origins, and interrelations. John was also a respected international wine expert and consultant, and a freelance wine writer, having written numerous published articles on wine, viniculture, and viticulture. He was a member of The Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan. He was also a talented photographer and artist. In his dual careers, John enjoyed traveling the world extensively. His many gifts and talents will be truly missed. Graveside services will be Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 11:00 AM at Green Hills Memorial Park, in Rancho Palos Verdes. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Breeze from Aug. 13 to Aug. 14, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for John Bisazza

9 Entries

Pete Mirich

August 11, 2023

Years have passed, but I speak of John to mutual friends and many who were not fortunate to know him. Truly, he was among the most intelligent, inquisitive, introspective and distinguished of the distinguished human beings whom I have been fortunate enough to share some moments of our lives.

Peter Mirich

August 13, 2021

Now over a decade, I have never stopped reflecting upon John, as a friend and true human being in every positive sense. Through John, I also was able to obtain information about his other friends, many from Holy Trinity and Lasuen. I hope that all of you are well. May our Heavenly Father bless John, his good family, and all of you who happened to add an update.

Donna DiRocco

September 7, 2008

Dear Bisazza Family -

I just wanted to share with you a funny story about John that always makes me smile when I think of it.

I had my family over for dinner, and was especially excited that John would be coming too, since he was visiting from Japan.

I was roasting some pine nuts in the oven, and I had gone outside to visit for just a minute. I came back in and smelled something, and realized that....the pine nuts!! I quickly opened the oven, and smoke billowed out. John came up behind me and said, "Put flour on it!" Now, knowing that John had a very high IQ, I didn't second-guess him. I quickly grabbed the flour and sprinkled it on top of the smoking pine nuts. FWOOSH -- the flames leaped out and nearly singed off my eyelashes! I looked at John and he had this wry smile on his face. I said, "John -- you're very intelligent -- why did you tell me to use flour?" He looked at me and said, "I may be intelligent, but I'm also a pyromaniac!" I never laughed so hard!

John was such a wonderful and gentle soul. I always appreciated the fact that he kept in touch with my family after my brother Joe's tragic death. His passing makes me feel as if I've lost that last non-family link to my brother.

I will keep you in my prayers.

Sincerely,
Donna DiRocco

PS - You're supposed to use baking soda, not flour, on an oven fire!

Laurine DiRocco

August 20, 2008

Dear Mrs. Bizassa,
I was shocked and greatly saddened upon hearing of John's passing.
After the news began to register, my first thoughts were of you. John and I talked often on the phone and there was never a phone call during which he did not mention his love for you and concern for your care. As changes would occur in your health needs, he'd often call me to discuss ways he might be able to provide you with the best of care. I know there is no need to tell you how very much he loved you and how devoted he was to your care and well-being. As others have told you, John was working on ways to return to San Pedro in his desire to be closer to you.

John's friendship was truly a special gift to me. We met at the time of my brother, Joseph's, passing - over thirty years ago. John helped ease the pain of that loss as he shared stories with me about my brother. Often, when we shared a glass of wine, we'd tip our glasses to Joe as we'd both enjoy a memory of him.

Over the years, John and I shared many good meals, many fine wines, and many long conversations. We shared laughs too, and enjoyed many heated disagreements! We'd often meet at a used book store near me or at Sacred Grounds coffee shop in San Pedro, and once even in Paris over the Christmas Holidays! ( It was a trip I will always be grateful that he talked me into! As I worried about the expense of the trip, he asked me if I would rather have an experience to look back on, or some money in the bank. I still use that rationale when it comes to fun!)

Mrs.Bisazza, my heart goes out to you, and Robert, and all your extended family during this time of unexpected and deep loss. Thank you for bringing such a fine and gentle person into the world. He has enriched my life and and the lives of so many. I will dearly miss John.

With much love,
Laurine

Steven Hoinsky

August 19, 2008

Mrs. Bisazza and Family,

Please accept my heartfelt sympathies on the loss of John. I too, was a classmate throughout our years at Holy Trinity and Fermin Lasuen High. I only recently discovered that we also shared both undergraduate and graduate experiences at Loyola-Marymount University. It was very clear to me -- even during our early years in class together -- that John was a very special person. Only in hindsight do I recognize the vision and destiny that surrounded John in his day to day life. Clearly, memories of my earliest days at Holy Trinity hold John up as one of the most gifted and intelligent students in our class. His excellence continued through our years at Fermin Lasuen yet his achievements were only overshadowed by his most humble nature. Oh yes -- he did know how to enjoy himself with his many friends and cohorts as I recall. His prowess in the study of language was also easily recognized as he provided me much "help" with our French lessons. As I write -- I find myself smiling at so many great thoughts and memories -- and to read the names of many of my former classmates. I believe we were fortunate to share time on this earth with John. We are blessed to have grown up with one another -- influencing eachother's lives and enriching our spirits with experiences we will cherish forever. John was and remains a most special individual. It is so very sad that we lose touch with one another; the demands of life at times are overwhelming. Yet, my admiration for John still remains to this day. God bless and keep you all safe.

John & Laura Pescetti

August 18, 2008

Dear Mrs. Bisazza and Family,
My wife, Laura and i, send you our love and prayers. I can echo Peter Mirich's sentiments, that he was always so very concerned about you. He would often call us, sometimes in the wee hours of the morning Tokyo time, worried about you. If this illness had not taken him, i know he would have soon been back to stay.
He was a good friend in high school, but so much more so in the last 10 years. His trips up here to the Bay Area were always special. His love of life, his deep appreciation of good things life offered, was contagious. He opened many worlds to us: Of fine wines, of hummingbirds, of music, of literature and travel. My first mouthful of a great wine came at his hands. He was our travel guide, our food and music critic...he made all of us appreciate life more deeply and fully. So many things in our daily life are entwined with his memory. His friendship will be sorely missed but he will always be in our hearts.

Pete Mirich

August 17, 2008

Dear Mamie, Robert and Dennis,

John truly touched us all. As I mentioned, I was blessed in that, when he was in San Pedro, he would drag me out of court inthe afternoon so that we could spend the afternoon sipping a a coffee and "catching up." And when we could share an evening meal together, it wouldn't have been uncommon to close down a restaurant, as it is tough to conclude an evening spent with a great friend. As he said, "PJ, the only condiment necessary to savor a good wine is the company of the person who sits across from you to share it."
I forgot to mention one thing at John's service. It's this: At each meal we shared, we'd always talk about our families and his great concern for you. His esteemed professorship in neurologic linguistics brought him a single regret these last few years--that he was not able to spend more time at home with you. He loved you dearly.
Love,

Andrew Rivera

August 15, 2008

Dear Mrs. Bisazza,
I'm sure you remember the olive skinned little kid who John dubbed 'The Lip' and was one of his best friends.
John and I, with Mike Patterson, were always hanging together, at school, from Kindergarden to University, in all our free time, whether occupied in rock climbing near Marineland, crusing the local hot spots, planning musical entertainments like 'The Fantasticks' or absorbing the treasures that our mentor Art Strapp revealed to us in his Honors course classes at Lausen.
John was always the brightist and always had the best reaction to all our silliness with that infectious giggle of his.
I am sorry not to have know him much better in our adult lives, as he was on one side of the world and I was in London.
The last time we spoke was a few years ago, by phone, arranged by our friend John Pescetti, while I was visiting in San Fran.
We reestablished our mode of communication immediately, the years fell away, and we were giggling again.
I am sorry for your great loss and will always regret not keeping in touch, but will cherish the memories of a wonderful time growing up with John.
Yours truly,
Andrew

Mary (Sundstedt) Tripoli

August 13, 2008

Dear Bisazza Family,

I am so sorry about your loss. I went to Holy Trinity with John. We were in the same class throughout grammar school. John Bisazza was a very gifted person. He was so intellegent. I remember his incredible art work hanging on the bulletin boards. His art work was so beautiful, it was almost unbelievable for someone so young. John's many talents were standout and exceptional even in grade school. It was not surprising to see that John used these same gifts throughout his life. Every person maintains a memory of someone from their early school years, who excelled in everything they did. John Bisazza was that person. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I will have a Mass said for the repose of John's soul. May all of the souls of the faithfully departed through the Mercy of God, rest in peace. May the Perpetual Light shine upon John.

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results