John Tenanes
April 3, 1957-Aug. 4, 2025
Palo Alto, CA

John Tenanes, 68, of Palo Alto, CA passed away on August 4, 2025, from Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease (CJD), surrounded by his family. Born on April 3, 1957, in Northampton, MA, to the late John and Jean Tenanes, John made Palo Alto his home for 40 years. In that time, he became deeply connected to the community–raising a family, forging lifelong friendships, and sharing in the city’s history. He married Becky Jew, granddaughter of Rose Tong Jew, whose family was likely the first Chinese family to own property in Palo Alto. John built a life here defined by creativity, dedication, and a wicked sense of humor.

John is survived by his wife Becky; his daughter Sara Tenanes and her husband Jared; his son Cory Tenanes and his wife Amanda, along with their son Owen, all of Palo Alto. He is also survived by his sisters Virginia Reilly of Hatfield, MA; Nancy Gokey of Cummington, MA; and Joanne Weir of San Francisco, CA. He was endlessly proud of his children and the lives they’ve built, and nothing brought him more joy than time spent with his family.

John attended the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA, earning his degree in architecture–a foundation that shaped both his career and his lifelong love of design. After graduating, he packed up his Alfa Romeo and drove across the country to California to begin a new life and launch his career in Silicon Valley. John ultimately joined Meta in 2010 after a distinguished career in architecture, design, and corporate real estate.

A respected leader in his field, John served as Vice President of Global Facilities & Real Estate at Meta, where he oversaw the company’s global workplace footprint, managing millions of square feet of office space worldwide. At Meta, he led the acquisition, design, and construction of the company’s 57-acre Menlo Park headquarters, working with some of his architectural idols to bring the campus to life. He also spearheaded workplace strategies for the hybrid era, streamlining and optimizing space while building inspiring environments that fostered innovation and connection.

John’s influence extended into the broader community as well, serving on the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce and the Joint Venture Silicon Valley Board of Directors, where he lent his expertise and vision to regional planning and collaboration efforts.

Outside of work, he found joy in working on his treasured Porsche 911, tackling home improvements, and dreaming up creative projects. His final–and perhaps favorite–project was collaborating with his daughter to renovate her mid-century Eichler home. He also loved traveling, spending time at his beach home in Pacific Grove, and relaxing by the ocean with his sweet dog, Poppy, by his side.

Those who knew John will remember his quick wit, sharp mind, and tireless work ethic. He was always ready with a perfectly timed quip–often just enough to make you laugh when you least expected it (and sometimes when you least wanted to). He leaves behind a legacy of vision, ingenuity, and laughter.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center (bit.ly/donate-cjd), which provides diagnostic testing, research, and national surveillance for prion diseases like Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease, and offers vital resources and support for affected families.