John "Skip" Senow

                Skip was born Tuesday, February 23, 1960, in Winnipeg and was the oldest of 5. He was very much into sports in his younger years, especially hockey, playing many a game outside at the Elmwood Community Club. There were many pictures of him and teammates in the Club until it burnt down a few years ago.

                After graduation Skip went into heavy duty mechanics at Assiniboine College in Brandon and then continued his studies at Keewatin Community College in The Pas.

                Skip loved Harleys and bought his first one as a teenager. He would take his bikes apart in the winter and have different pieces chromed and then put them back together in the spring in the middle of the living room; ready to roll out the front door!

                In 1982 Skip met Laura who only lived a block away. He didn’t know her but she knew him and his family as they all went to school together. They had their first date across the street at Ronnie’s place for a Christmas party. They were never apart again after that first date and married in April 1984.

                In May of 1984, through World Universities of Canada, they went to Harare, Zimbabwe where Skip took a teaching position at the Polytechnic. After Zimbabwe he came back to Winnipeg and got a job which took him to various fly in reserves. In 1988 the opportunity came again to go overseas with CIDA for a 3 year teaching term in Uganda. At the last minute this was changed and with 2 children they were off to Mogadishu, Somalia. On arriving in Mogadishu they found out that the job was not what he signed up for and he said, “Send us to Uganda or send us home.” After some weeks, home they came with nothing. They had sold everything as they were supposed to be gone for 3 years!  Skip soon saw an opening for a Heavy Duty Instructor in The Pas where he used to go to school. On December 29, 1988 and a freezing -29, they came to The Pas on a 6 month contract… and the rest is history!  Skip enjoyed teaching the countless students that came and went over the years, many of whom he was very proud of. He was brilliant and a perfectionist in his trade. He could do calculus in his head and give you the answer or any math problem for that matter! He could do anything and make anything. He would say:  “All I have to do is read about it and I can do it” and he did.

                Skip loved being out in the boat and fishing, and he lived for hunting. As soon as hunting season ended he was planning for the next. He was always waiting for “the big one” (that always got away); and said he would never shoot anything he wouldn’t eat. He loved going for long drives, with special memories of taking his mom for drives throughout the Interlake. He loved Saturday morning breakfast with the boys and cheering loudly for his favourite hockey or football team.

                Above all, Skip loved his grandchildren. He was a very proud Afi, blessed with 9 beautiful grandkids. He had a deep love for all children, especially babies. He was dubbed ‘the baby whisperer’. If there was a baby, he wanted to hold them. If one was crying, he could always calm them.

                Skip is survived by his wife Laura of 40 years and his 5 children: Jason, Adam (Billy, Leela, Lacey), Carlie (Cam, Henry, Jack), Mandy (Carson, Katla, Sveinn), and Courtney (Natalie). To his grandchildren, he was the best Afi ever! Each one was his special Elskamin!

                Skip is predeceased by his mom and dad Lorraine and John Senow and his younger brother Terry.

                Skip loved the Lord and drew very close to him over the last few months. He had a deep respect for the word of God to which he said, “Thy will be done.” He knew he was ‘going home’ to be with his Lord and saviour.

                We will see you soon Skip.