John LaSala

John Benny LaSala is a third-generation Sicilian on the Monterey Peninsula. His parents were Johanna Catania and Benny LaSala. Their parents were from Isola delle Femmine and San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily.

His mother, Johanna, worked in the sardine canneries on Cannery Row as a young girl, and his father, Benny, fished for sardines as a young man in Monterey Bay. John continued the tradition of fishing and followed in his Nannu Catania’s footsteps who inspired John to fish. As a young man he fished for squid in Monterey Bay for the Giamona Brothers, on the “St. George.” He also fished herring in San Francisco and later became a commercial fisherman in Alaska. John fished in Alaska every summer for over ten years.

John’s tremendous work ethic comes from his mom and dad, as well as the generations before him. He spent his summers helping his Aunt Kitty and Uncle Henry Ragsdale at Bi-Rite Market. He also helped his Uncle Joe Frontera at Ramona Market. John admired his Uncle George Brucato, who helped start the Bing Crosby tournament, better known today as the AT&T Pro-Am. This later inspired him to volunteer at the AT&T Pro-Am golf tournament, as well as other tournaments held at Pebble Beach.

As a young man, John also ran his father’s popular A&W Root Beer in Seaside, California. After starting a family of his own, he took over Bi-Rite Market, which his parents also owned and operated for many years. After 86 years in business, John is still the proud owner and runs the store with his wife, Debbie, and his daughters, Jenny Leigh and Gina Thomsen.

In addition to keeping the family business alive and thriving, John was also in the security systems business for over 40 years. John and his brother-in-law, John Cardinalli, owned Del Monte Alarm. He later managed Cypress Alarm and then served as regional manager of First Alarm until his retirement from the alarm business in 2017. Since retiring, you will find him volunteering his time with various organizations around the Monterey Peninsula.

A passionate community supporter, John volunteers with organizations including the Monterey Italian Catholic Federation, Santa Rosalia, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the U.S. Open. He has coached youth sports and supported local schools and charities. John’s generosity, hard work, and commitment to helping others have made him a valued member of the Monterey Peninsula community.

Italian Heritage Society Honoree 2026