Obituary of John Wallace Senechal

John Wallace Senechal was born March 10, 1944 to Wallace and Dorothy Senechal of North Tonawanda, New York. He entered his eternal life on December 29, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado after a lengthy battle with Lewy Body Disease. The third child and only son of seven children, John grew up playing with his sisters and cousins who lived nearby. One of their favorite games was "gas station", in which the children stopped at the big tree in front of 72 East Felton Street to "fill up" their scooters and bicycles. John demonstrated a knack for things mechanical and scientific at an early age, when he rigged a switch in the paper box which rang a bell in his bedroom when the papers for his delivery route were delivered in the morning. Until he was incapacitated by Lewy Body Disease, John enjoyed undertaking home improvement projects.John attended St. Mark's Lutheran School for kindergarten through eighth grade, where he recalled being able to walk home for lunch every day. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith in the eighth grade at St. Mark's Lutheran Church. He attended high school at North Tonawanda High School, participating in a number of school and church activities, including Walther League and various clubs and sports. After graduating from high school, John followed his sisters, Anne and Barbara, to Concordia Teacher's College in Seward, Nebraska, where he studied to become a Lutheran teacher. While there, he worked at the Conoco filling station in town in addition to running with the inaugural CTC cross country team. He also met the love of his life, Carol Forke, whom he married on July 16, 1966 in Odell, Nebraska. While at CTC, John also developed a passion for church music; he served as choir and handbell director or participated in choirs at every church he was a member of for the next fifty years. After graduating from CTC in 1966, John went on to earn his Master's degree in science education through Syracuse University in New York.John exemplified and lived a life of trust and faith in Jesus that was characterized by service to his Lord and church. He held teaching Calls at Zion Lutheran School in Ferguson, Missouri and Redeemer Lutheran School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He served as Principal of Shepherd of the Hills Christian School (which he started) in Centennial, Colorado and St. Paul Lutheran School in Austin, Texas before retiring from the ministry in 2007. While teaching, John influenced many young teachers to always seek out each student's individual gifts and to engage all students in education through any means necessary. Many students fondly recall "Mr. S" as their favorite middle school teacher, and reminisce about his passion for science and experiential education. He initiated the outdoor education program for Lutheran middle school students in Colorado, teaching students about Rocky Mountain ecology, astronomy and the intricacy of God's creation. John coached many sports while teaching, including volleyball, basketball, soccer, track, and softball. He inaugurated the Front Range Area Lutheran Schools volleyball tournament, which is still in effect today. He also directed children's choirs and handbell groups. John was named Administrator of the Year in 1997 by the Rocky Mountain District. He served on numerous boards and committees across several districts during his career. John and Carol loved to travel, and their life together included many trips both domestic and abroad. John loved to camp and fish from a young age when his father would take him to Canada on fishing trips and the Senechal family would spend time at Camp Pioneer and Lake Chautauqua in New York. John served on the board of Lutheran Valley Ranch and Retreat in Colorado, where the family enjoyed many camping and day trips. Other favorite trips included camping on Galveston Island, Texas, trips to the Pacific Northwest, trips to visit family and to family reunions and cruises through the Panama Canal, to Alaska, and through the Canadian Maritime Provinces. John also loved watching sports, especially his Colorado Rockies baseball team, to which he held season tickets since the team was inaugurated in 1997.John and Carol are blessed with two children, Sara (Greg) Zillinger of Castle Pines, Colorado and Martin (Christin) of Omaha, Nebraska. They have seven beloved grandchildren, Joshua (19), Noah (17), Jaina (15), Elijah (13), Keira (12), Woodensky (8), and Ruth (5). Even when ravaged by LBD, John would often ask after the kids and grandkids had left the house, "Where did they go?" Right up to the end, John loved to be around people, enjoying visits from his children, grandchildren, extended family and church family friends.John joins his parents and parents-in-law; older sister, Anne; brothers-in-law, Ken, David, and Earl; great-nephew, Joe; sister-in-law, Fran; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins who have preceded him in death. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb. 12:1-2)Memorial Service, 11:00AM, Saturday, January 4, 2020, Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2226 North Corona Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907. Memorial contributions in John's memory may be sent to Redeemer Lutheran Church Organ Fund, Lutheran High School Tuition Assistance (Parker, Colorado) or Shepherd of the Hills Christian School (Centennial, Colorado). Events Memorial Service Saturday, January 4, 2020 11:00AM Redeemer Lutheran Church 2221 North Wahsatch Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Phone: 719-328-1793