Giovanni Pasquale Prezioso

Giovanni Pasquale Prezioso, age 65, of Bethesda, MD and Vero Beach, FL died on February 28, 2023 at his home in Bethesda, MD. He is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Elizabeth (Betsy) Mathews Prezioso. He was the devoted father of Emily Walsh (Brian), Julia Fotos (Nick) and Alex Prezioso (Katie) and loving “Pop Pop” to Annie and Nell Walsh.

Born December 23, 1957 in Boston, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Fausto Maria Prezioso and Helen Mullaney Prezioso. He proudly wore his Italian and Irish heritage and his status as a fifth generation Marylander (though Florida became his paradise where he loved boat and bike rides).

He began working as an attorney at Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP in 1982 and retired as partner in 2022. He represented clients from Goldman Sachs to the NFL Players Association and was particularly passionate about his pro bono work for Freedom House, helping to expand freedom and democracy around the world. He also served four years as General Counsel of the Securities and Exchange Commission from 2002 to 2006. Given the lively debate shared around the dinner table over the years, it was no surprise that all three of his children followed in his footsteps as lawyers.

His energy and determination were unparalleled. In the midst of a rigorous law practice, he completed seven Ironman Triathlons and ten 4.4 mile open water swims across the Chesapeake Bay. He never shied away from a challenge or adventure. He even earned a brick dedicated in his name for successfully climbing the legendary Westernport Wall in Maryland’s Savage Man Triathlon. His insatiable curiosity was contagious—he devoured books, traveled the world and found wisdom in daily encounters.

He will be remembered most as a loyal and trusted friend to many, a brilliant storyteller and teacher of all things. He had a keen mind and playful sense of humor—he will forever keep us laughing.

He was a graduate of: Gilman School, as valedictorian (‘75); Harvard College, magna cum laude (’79); and Harvard Law School, magna cum laude (’82).

He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren; his siblings, Elena Prezioso, Luigi Prezioso (Valerie), Maria Beyer (Donnie), Giulia Tearnan (Lance), Andrea Prezioso, Franco Prezioso (Daryl) and Antonio Prezioso (Donna); his siblings-in-law, Alex and Katie Mathews and Adam and Cherie Mathews; an uncle, Charles Mullaney; three aunts, Dorothy Mullaney, Giuseppina Cuccia and Cesira Prezioso; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 4 at 12 p.m. at the Church of the Little Flower, 5607 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD. A reception will follow at the Chevy Chase Club, 6100 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD.

A gathering of friends and family will take place at the Chevy Chase Club on Friday, March 3 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Due to the season of lent please do not send flowers to church and consider donations to the Giovanni to Freedom House