An Interview with John Benko

by Gordon Nary

Gordon: What is one of your earliest childhood memories?

John: I have vivid memories of being influenced by music and I learned many songs of great significance even at the ages of 6-10. Songs like “Let it Be” by the Beatles, “Blowin’ in the wind” by Peter, Paul and Mary, “Sounds of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel and “He was a friend of mine” by the Byrds. The last one is about the assassination of John Kennedy, who I was named after.

Gordon: Tell us about your family when you were growing up.

John: Sadly, much of what I have come to understand about my family is that it was very dysfunctional. There was a lot of pretense and turbulence and psychological damage that reverberates to this day. My parents were nominal Catholics and most of what I learned about my faith, I learned on my own. Forgiveness was, and is, a big part of my journey to be whole.

Gordon: Where did you attend school, what was your favorite course, and why was that course your favorite? 

John: I was too psychologically damaged in my school years to really apply myself consistently. I remember that I never really fit in but I remember the few teachers that were able to connect with me. Even back then, I was trying to understand the deeper meaning of life but I was really not doing well and actually attempted suicide when I was 17.

Gordon: What was your first job after school and what did you like most about it?

John: I worked the night shift at a pizza restaurant. What I remember most were the good times in the early morning hours roaming the streets with my best friends and cb buddies. I lost the best of those friends in 2023 after a 45 year friendship.

Gordon: What interested you in being a building engineer?

John: It was primarily driven by necessity. The pay was never really that great until the later years when I got licensed but there was a lot of opportunity for overtime. That overtime was kind of an equalizer that allowed me to make a living without a suit and a tie and a degree.

Gordon: Tell us about your current position and responsibilities.

John: Having been a Chief Engineer, I have had great success at times but at the cost of great pressure. I am an evening shift guy now in Washington, DC. The role pays pretty well but I don’t have the pressure of being the guy in charge and it allows me time to live my life.

Gordon: What parish do you attend and what did you like most about it?

John: I am officially a member of All Saints parish in Manassas, Virginia but I spend a fair amount of time at Holy Trinity Parish in Gainesville. What I like most is the great opportunities for devotions such as Adoration and additional daily masses that my schedule allows.

Gordon: Who is your favorite saint and why is that saint your favorite?

John: Other than the obvious, Mary. There are so many. Saints Peter and John, Saint John of the Cross, Saint Theresa of Avila, The little flower, so many. Saint Bernadette might be #1.

Gordon: Tell us about The 4 Persons Catholic Apostolate.

John: The 4 persons are based on Mark 12:30 and the admonition that we must love God with our whole heart, mind, body and soul. It is a 501 C3 Charity aimed at education, evangelization and social outreach to the whole Catholic person.

Gordon; Thank you for a great interview!