Rev. John Pinasco, SJ, (11 June 1837 – 9 March 1897), was born in the vicinity of Genoa and entered the Jesuit Novitiate at Bonaecola in 1853. In 1858, he was sent to the Jesuit college at Stonyhurst to study philosophy with Rev. Father Bayma, SJ, one of the premier professors of the Society of Jesus in Europe.

John Pinasco S.J.
Rev. John Pinasco, SJ as President of Santa Clara College
6th President of Santa Clara University
In office 1880–1883
Preceded by	Aloysius Brunengo, S.J.
Succeeded by	Robert E. Kenna, S.J.
10th President of Santa Clara University
In office 1888–1893
Preceded by	Robert E. Kenna, S.J.
Succeeded by	Joseph W. Riordan, S.J.
Personal details
Born	11 June 1837 Genoa
Died	9 March 1897 (aged 59) Los Gatos, California
Profession	Jesuit priest

Pinasco came directly to Santa Clara College in 1860, where he taught until 1876 with a four-year break for additional theological training at Georgetown University between 1868 and 1872.

In 1876, he moved to the University of San Francisco, where he served as president. Thereafter, he twice served Santa Clara College in the same capacity, (1880-1883 and 1888-1893 respectively).

Fr. Pinasco died at the Sacred Heart Novitiate in Los Gatos, aged 59.