Gary Raymond Senesac

Gary Raymond Senesac, 72, died suddenly from a pulmonary embolism on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, while vacationing with his family on Sanibel Island, Florida.

He leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Diane (Bernhagen) Senesac; his daughter, Kristen (Senesac) Ludwig; two grandchildren, Margaret Louise Ludwig and Paul Boleslaw Ludwig; his sister, Amy (Senesac) Stearns, and brother-in-law, Richard Stearns; his brother, David Senesac; his niece Kimberly (Stearns) Christesen; his nephew Ryan Stearns; and many friends.

Gary was born in Kankakee, Illinois, to Orell and Wanita (Soucie) Senesac on Jan. 23, 1944. After proudly serving his country in the United States Air Force, he graduated from Western Illinois University with an MBA; he also earned post-graduate certification from Aurora College in Aurora, Illinois. Gary worked for Caterpillar as a buyer and in IT for 30 years before retiring in 2001.

On July 12, 1969 Gary married the love of his life, Diane. After spending most of his life in small towns in Illinois, including Batavia and Elburn, Gary and his wife moved to Alaska in 2003 to be closer to their daughter and new grandchildren.

After his daughter divorced, Gary became the patriarch of a multi-generational family in which he, his wife, daughter and two grandchildren all resided together under one roof. Although he started out as a father to one child, he joyfully became not only a grandfather but a dad to two more. He played a huge role in Maggie and Paul’s daily lives. He was the most devoted, hard-working, and loving husband, father and grandfather one could ever ask for.

An avid ham radio enthusiast, Gary (AL9A) was a lifetime member of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). He was actively involved in both the Fox River Radio League in Illinois and the Matanuska Amateur Radio Association in Alaska. He loved participating in field days, emergency drills, and a wide variety of ham radio contests.

He recently had an article published in the National Contest Journal and was preparing to teach a CW (Morse code) class later this month. Gary loved the Chicago Bears, boat rides on the lake, politics, and technology – the more buttons and controls, the better!

Gary enjoyed traveling immensely; he visited most of the United States and had his passport stamped in over 30 countries on five continents. He spent many hours volunteering with Boy Scout Pack 354 as the Honor Guard leader, the Food Pantry of Wasilla, and at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

He enjoyed plowing snow at his church and for his neighbors and was always willing to lend a helping hand to those who needed one. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Arrangements have been made with Valley Funeral Home in Palmer, Alaska. Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 23, from 6-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Thursday, March 24, at 11 a.m., with burial afterward at Fort Richardson National Cemetery, Anchorage, Alaska.