Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Carolyn Hancock

Obituaries

Carolyn Hancock

Carolyn Balsa Hancock died Sept. 9 in her Los Gatos home at the age of 46, following a four-year battle with cancer.

Hancock was a San Jose native, born July 2, 1950, and grew up in the city's Rose Garden area. After earning her associate's degree in dental assisting from San Jose City College, she worked as a dental assistant while pursuing a bachelor's degree in liberal studies from San Jose State University, which she completed in 1975. She began teaching shortly thereafter.

In 1978, she earned a special-education teaching credential from SJSU, followed by a master's degree eight years later in education administration from the University of San Francisco.

She worked as a career-vocational specialist with San Jose's East Side Union High School District for more than 10 years. Prior to that, she was a teacher at various facilities, including James Lick High School in San Jose. Her father is also a former school teacher.

Hancock was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, which, after a period of remission, reoccurred and spread in 1994. She continued teaching in spite of the disease.

"She taught summer school this year while enduring intense pain from a tumor in her knee. Yet she never, ever lost her positive attitude, never showed any self-pity. She buoyed up the rest of us. She was a star," said her husband, Bret Hancock.

According to close friend Suzanne Frazer of Los Gatos, Hancock was known for throwing spirited parties and family get-togethers.

"Carolyn was a terrific cook who set a gracious, stylish table and made it seem effortless. She was always baking goodies for her friends and happily celebrated all holidays," Frazer recalled. "She was the center of all of our social lives. It's no wonder that her family and close friends nicknamed her 'Cares.' "

She is survived by husband Bret of Los Gatos; parents Anthony D. and Helen Balsa of San Jose; sisters Cathy Hudin of Oroville and Christina Balsa of Cupertino; brother Anthony D. Balsa Jr. of Tiburon; one niece and three nephews.

Memorial services have been held, with arrangements through the Neptune Society. Donations may be made to the Carolyn Balsa Hancock Memorial Scholarship Fund, which the family set up to provide an annual scholarship for a needy special-education student in the East Side Union High School District. Send to: Community Foundation of Santa Clara County, 111 W. St. John St., #230, San Jose, 95113-1104 and specify the donation is for Hancock's scholarship fund.

Sandro Benassi

Sandro Benassi of Monte Sereno died Aug. 27 at Pearson Ranch, Calif. He was 52.

Benassi was born March 21, 1944, on a Gilroy ranch, son of a ranching family for whom that city's Benassi Drive is named. The family still owns and operates a prune and walnut ranch on 16 acres within the Gilroy city limits.

A graduate of Gilroy High School, Gavilan College and San Jose State University, Benassi served in the U.S. Army, achieved the rank of First Lieutenant and is a Vietnam veteran.

In 1977, he founded Community Management Services Inc., an independent association management company. He also owned the landscape and maintenance company CMS Properties Inc.

He was involved in his children's sports teams and an avid fan of the San Francisco 49ers. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, running and weights.

"Sandro was known to family, friends and coworkers as someone always ready to lend a hand. He had a high standard of professionalism and led by example," recalled his wife, Sally. "He loved to tease and laugh and play. Sandro never kept a record of wrongs."

Survivors include wife Sally Benassi of Monte Sereno; daughters Janae Benassi and Tara Benassi; sons David Benassi, Michael Benassi, Adam Robinson and Kevin Robinson; brothers Angelo Benassi of Gilroy and Duilio Benassi of San Jose; mother Annina Benassi of Gilroy; a niece and five nephews.

Services have been held, with interment at Madronia Cemetery, Saratoga. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Walter Pickett Jr.

Los Gatos resident Walter William Pickett Jr. died Aug. 31 at the age of 57.

Born May 15, 1939, in Oakland, Pickett worked as a foreman with Hazel-Atlas Glass Company in Oakland while completing his MBA at UC-Berkeley. In 1968, he joined IBM in San Jose as a systems analyst and spend much of his life in information systems. He was sent to New Mexico in the early 1970s to teach at Highlands University as part of IBM's effort to help upgrade business schools that have predominantly minority populations. He retired in 1994 after 25 years with IBM.

Pickett was an active member of the Leigh High School Band Boosters from 1985 to 1992, including several years as president. He was known as "Dad Pickett" to many Leigh students who helped him set up equipment, work at every school dance and basketball game and serve food to help raise money for the band.

A member of the First Church of Christ Scientist in Los Gatos, Pickett was active in the Los Gatos Community Concert Association and enjoyed music, boating and water-skiing.

Survivors include wife Arleen of Los Gatos; daughter Colleen and son Kyle of Los Gatos; and sisters Mary Miller of Socorro, N.M., and Margaret Meistrell of Vallejo.

Services have been held, with ashes scattered at sea. Donations may be made to the Leigh High School Band Boosters, 5210 Leigh Ave., San Jose, 95124.