John M. Senneff

Of Town of Tonawanda and later Fredonia, NY was born in Moline, Illinois (home of John Deere tractor) in May of 1924, to George and Clara Roudebush Senneff. His father, a national champion at the University of Illinois, gave John a lifelong passion for football. While playing football for his high school coach-father, WWII broke out. He finished high school and enlisted immediately. Instead of waiting to hear back from the Army, he went on to pursue a degree in Aeronautical Engineering at his father and mother's alma mater. 

After only one semester of college, he was accepted into flight training for the Army Air Corps. In the beginning of 1944 after a long training regime, he was assigned to the P-47 Thunderbolt (shown above) 86th Fighter-Bomber Group's 525th Squadron in Italy. Over the next year, John flew 74 combat missions into Italy, France and Germany. He returned 13 times with flak or gunfire damage to his aircraft. For his service, John received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, and numerous European campaign honors. His unit also earned two Presidential Unit Citations. Because he was among the younger fighter pilots, he remained in Europe until his turn came to return home. During that time, he took part in escorting President Truman's plane to the Potsdam Conference, where Truman met with Churchill and Stalin to shape the postwar order in Europe.

 After returning home, he completed his education and earned a Masters degree in Aeronautical Engineering. During that time, he met and married his first wife Mildred. They moved to Buffalo along with their young child John Michael to join a growing Bell Aircraft Company in Wheatfield. He also continued his military service in the reserves as part of the newly formed U.S. Air Force, eventually retiring after 27 years as a lieutenant colonel.

 At Bell, John was part of a team that helped establish the company's reputation for developing rocket engines. He worked on numerous major programs, including the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, the Space Shuttle, Spacelab, Agena, and, most famously, the lunar ascent engine that carried every Apollo astronaut from the surface of the moon. That engine is now displayed at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. 

Along the way they welcomed three more children, Kathleen, William and Carol before Mildred unfortunately succumbed to cancer. At what was now called Bell Aerospace, he met his second wife Diane Mudd who by her own right was an accomplished pilot and scientist at Bell. Their passion for flying and skiing continued as they had two children Karyn and James and flew his small airplane all over the US with them. Over the years, he welcomed eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. 

Even retirement did not slow him down. John took his skiing and snowboarding up a notch and spent more than 20 years as an instructor at Tamarack and Kissing Bridge, finally retiring in his late 80s. Sadly too soon, his second wife Diane succumbed to cancer as well. 

John was also a flight instructor who loved training students throughout WNY. He was active in many organizations, Bell Ski and Golf Clubs, Niagara Soaring Club (towing gliders), AIAA, Niagara Aerospace museum and hall of fame, BADAGA, softball and swimming coach, Buffalo Aero Club and Bali Running Club. Though he was still loyal to his University of Illinois Fighting Illini, he grew to become an avid fan of the Buffalo Bills and Sabres and rarely missed a game. 

Of all his traits, he most importantly always had a smile on his face and was excited to see his extended family and countless friends he treated as if they were his flesh and blood. If you saw him in WNY, chances were he had a Golden Retriever by his side. He will greatly be missed by all his family and friends

Relatives and Friends may visit the LOMBARDO FUNEAL HOME (Northtowns Chapel) 885 Niagara Falls Blvd. (Eggert/Sheridan) Amherst on Wednesday (4/1) from 3:00 - 8:00 pm.  A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday (4/2) morning at 11:30 o'clock at The Kenmore United Methodist Church, 32 Landers Rd., Kenmore (please assemble at church). Interment White Chapel Cemetery