Obituary of Jacob (Jack) Senchuk

SENCHUK: Jacob (Jack) Senchuk, 88, died peacefully in the early morning hours on May 20, 2017, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is survived by his children Gregg, Barbara, Andrea, Carole, and David and his special friend Christie and her son Thomas; grandchildren Andrea Lynn and Brennan; sisters Sylvia, Nell (Allan) and Marianne (John); and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Steven and Mary, his brothers Adam and Nick, and his sister Verna. Jack was born on March 24, 1929 in The Pas, Manitoba. He followed his sweetheart, Irene, to Winnipeg in 1950, and they married in 1952. Five children followed in relatively quick succession. As a young husband and father, Jack worked full-time and at the same time attended university full-time. He accepted his first teaching position, in Pilot Mound, Manitoba, in 1959. The family moved three years later to Brandon where Jack taught physics and chemistry at Harrison High School from 1962 to 1974. He ended his teaching career at Crocus Plains High School, retiring in 1989. He was much admired by his students, and he was good friends with several teaching colleagues to the end. Jack was a highly-skilled athlete and an avid sportsman. He played with the Brandon Wheat Kings for the 1947-48 season and attended a New York Rangers training camp before the diagnosis of a heart murmur cut short his hockey career. Throughout his long life he also golfed, cross country skied, bowled, and he was still curling at 81. Jack and Irene had the travel 'bug' and travelled extensively throughout their lives, first by car all over Canada and the U.S. with kids in tow, then in their later years to Hawaii, England, France, Ukraine, Russia, and Israel, along with long road trips by car and train to the West Coast, eastern Canada, and the U.S.. Jack and Irene and family attended First Baptist Church in Brandon for many years. Jack and Irene later joined the church family at Richmond Park Mennonite Brethren Church where they made friends of all ages and were active in bible studies, the Caring Ministry, and the church Greeters. Sadly, Jack lost his great love and dear wife Irene in 2011. They were married 59 years. Jack spent his final months at West Park Manor Personal Care Home in Winnipeg close to his Winnipeg children and family. The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the staff at West Park Manor. They also wish to sincerely thank his longtime Brandon doctor, Dr. Lawrence Groves, the day program staff at Fairview Personal Care Home, and all the staff at Rideau Park Personal Care Home in Brandon where Jack resided for two and half years, for their care and support. A funeral service was held at Richmond Park Mennonite Brethren Church on Friday, May 26, 2017. Interment followed at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Unit 3-824 18th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 5B7.