STANLEY SENDERAK Obituary

Stanley Senderak 95, beloved husband of Clara for 66 years, Army Air Corp Veteran WWII, died Tuesday (12/4/2012) in his home in Green Valley Arizona. Born February 16, 1917 in Chicago, retired Truck Driver, accomplished accordionist, woodworking and golf enthusiast. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday December 10, 2012 at 10 AM at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, AZ. Burial with military services will be at a later date at the Southern Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Published by Chicago Tribune on Dec. 7, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
for STANLEY SENDERAK

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To the entire Senderak family,
My heart reaches out to you in this difficult time. You are in my thoughts and prayers. By the looks of the photo gallery, you will have a lot of happy times to remember
Sharon Mercer
Silver Springs

Sharon Mercer

December 13, 2012

Dear Clare and family,
I am so saddened to hear of Stan's passing. He was always so pleasant and I loved my visits with you both Clare.
I'm so glad my sister Jeannette (your former neighbor) brought you into my life!
May he rest in peace.
Pat Thompson

December 12, 2012

Ken and Margaret - We are so sorry to hear of your father's passing. He lived a full and wonderful life, and was fortunate to have the love and support of his family. We pray you find love and comfort in the memories he created with you.

Dave and Angela Cameron

December 12, 2012

Memories of Dad
Thank you Father Maldonado for celebrating Mass this morning and the beautiful homily, the Choir and to Judy and Our Lady of the Valley Staff for helping us arrange this day for my Dad. Thank you all for coming to honor my Dad's life. It was a life that was full of love of God, his Church, his wife Clara of 66 years, his family and his music.
The Early Years
Dad grew up in a large family during the depression years. His Father was out of work, his Mom earned some money cleaning, and as the second oldest he began helping to support the family, first as a newspaper boy selling papers on the corner just making a few pennies, later as a helper on a bakery truck and then driving a bakery truck making deliveries to local restaurants. While a child in school, he was noticed as having a good singing voice so he joined the chorus and as a teenager, he took accordion lessons for about 6 months. He had such a musical gift that after only 6 months of lessons, the music school hired him to teach music. His accordion teacher and family became lifelong friends with Dad and Mom.
As a teenager and later into his 20's he supported his family by playing music in bars and taverns in what was known then as Polish Broadway. He often told stories of playing several nights a week and then going to the bakery without sleep to drive his truck.
Military Years
At 25, Dad joined the Army Air Corp in 1942 and that took him to Lincoln Nebraska where he met my Mom. Their first date was going to Sunday Mass at the Cathedral in Lincoln. Although he was not in Lincoln long, they began their courtship through letters; Dad wrote Mom every day that they were apart. Dad spent most of his military time in Panama as a B26 Instrument Mechanic; and while Dad was away, Mom joined the Navy Waves.
Marriage and Work
After the war, they traveled to Chicago and then to Nebraska to meet their respective families; they married in November 1946 and lived in Chicago. In December of the following year, my brother Keith and I were born, yes twins. Dad got his job back at the bakery driving the truck and resumed his musical career playing weddings and clubs in Chicago. While growing up, I don't recall too many Saturday nights that Dad was home and not playing his music.
All through his working years, Dad taught us his values of love of family, strong work ethic, honesty, courtesy to others, kindness and many others. Music was always in our home, Keith and I took piano and accordion lessons for many years, and Dad even worked for a piano company delivering pianos and organs.
Retirement Years
Dad and Mom retired to Colorado, living there for 20 years. It was a wonderful life for them and also for their now adult sons Keith and I and our families, as we found ourselves going every year to ski and play lots of golf with Dad.
While in Colorado, Dad always generously donated his music for social functions of clubs and organizations and regularly played at the local Nursing Homes. Dad and Mom were very active in several organizations and were dedicated hobbyists, Mom with her painting and quilting, Dad with his woodworking.
They had many friends in Colorado, some of them came to Green Valley for a few weeks in the winter. After several of these short trips to Green Valley, they moved here in 1994 to live full time. They spent 17 years at their home in SpringPoint before moving to Silver Springs Assisted Living last November.
Dad lived a long time, mostly because he had a wonderful partner by his side, his wife Clara. But he also had a wonderful sense of humor and ease by which he lived each day, even his approach to work all of his life was unlike most; he always told us that if you enjoy what you do, you will never work a day in your life.
Dad would always toast by saying Nas Drovia – translation – To Your Health.
He always said goodbye by saying Take Care, Stay Well and Enjoy.
Goodbye Dad, We love you.

Ken Senderak

December 10, 2012

No Clouds in Arizona
December 10, 2012

It was only two weeks ago when we sat
On the bench watching the golfers play.
You reminisced and I listened as I often did
To stories that spanned a lifetime.

Stories that always brought a smile to my face
And reminded me not to take things for granted,
The importance of family,
And to enjoy each and every moment.

It was only a few days ago when I sat
Alone on the same bench listening for the softest whisper,
Feeling the faintest of breezes,
And staring at the clear, blue sky.

I told myself to breathe and let the desert wind
Take my sorrow with each exhale;
Let the desert sun dry each tear that I shed.
Because on this day,
True to what you always liked to say, “There are no clouds in Arizona.”

Steven Senderak

December 10, 2012

December 8, 2012

I am so sorry to read about Mr. Senderak's passing away, he will be greatly missed! May you cherish your memories of him to help ease some of the grief as you draw close to God for comfort and peace. (James 4:8)

December 8, 2012

December 7, 2012

December 7, 2012

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December 7, 2012

Mrs. Senderak, Keith, Ken and Family, Ron and I would like to express our deepest sympathies on Mr. Senderak's passing; Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. We have many wonderful memories of Mr. Senderak over the past 40 plus years-his great laugh, his love for golf and most of all his wonderful accordian playing; He will be so missed!

Ron and Mary Ann Lewis

December 7, 2012

Dear Clare, Ken and Keith and Family,
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy on Stan's passing. Mom and I are in my home in Fla., where I see my piano (Stan got if for me special). It will be emotional for me to play Chrismas carols on it this year. Just 2 weeks ago, Mom and I were talking about calling you and Stan. We'll call in January. Dad and Stan can now have some great times together, laughing and reminiscing. Know you are in our thoughts and will be in our prayers for God's comforting presence to surround all of you. Love and blessings, Eleanore and Sandy Reback

Reback Sandra

December 7, 2012

Dear Clare, Ken, Keith and Family,

We are so sorry to hear about Stan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We all have such fond memories of Stan and his contagious hearty laugh. He will be missed.

Love John & Iris and the Reback Family

John Reback

December 7, 2012

Keith and family,

I was so sorry to hear about your father. Praying for comfort and love to get you through the coming days. May he rest in peace and may you find solace in your happy memories.

Hugs,
Dawn

Dawn Spranger

December 7, 2012

Keith and family - we are so very sorry to hear of your Dad's sudden passing. Hold the memories close. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Lee & Pat Guy

December 7, 2012

December 6, 2012

December 6, 2012

December 6, 2012

December 6, 2012

December 6, 2012

Keith and family. Another living legacy of WWII has passed after a wonderful life. His memory will live on in the lives of everyone who owe a gratitude to the sacrifices he made to keep our great nation safe and free. May the Lord comfort you and your family and keep your Dad by His side always!

Jacque La Valle

December 6, 2012

Dear Keith and Family,

Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at your time of great loss. God Bless and keep you close to his heart!

Love & Hugs,
Anna

Anna Hall

December 6, 2012

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