Michael Thomas Senate

Michael (Mike) Thomas Senate, 79, of Lovettsville, Virginia, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 23, 2026. He was born on March 26, 1946, in Sparrows Point, Maryland, the son of the late Clyde E. Senate and Ruby Jarrel Senate.

Mike earned an engineering degree from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and later settled in Lovettsville while working for a defense contractor. A respected public servant and community leader, his life was defined by extraordinary service to his town, the fire and rescue service, and his country as a Marine during the Vietnam war.

Mike was appointed to the Lovettsville Planning Commission in May 2006 and was elected Chairman in 2007 and 2008. He was elected to the Lovettsville Town Council in July 2008, serving faithfully until 2016, including as Vice Mayor from 2012 to 2016. From 2011 to 2018, he served as Chairman of the Parks Committee and played a key role in the design and development of several lasting town landmarks, including the Veterans Memorial, Walker Pavilion, the Barn at Quarter Branch Park, and the Clock Tower, including its clock faces. He was also instrumental in advancing major town projects such as Phase I of the East Broadway Streetscape Project and Phase I of the Lovettsville Shared-Use Path along South Berlin Pike.

Beyond town government, Mike dedicated himself to public safety as a firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician beginning in 2001. He was instrumental in developing station-level training programs and served on the Apparatus Committee, helping to develop specifications for fire and rescue vehicles. From 2002 to 2006, he attended Lovettsville Town Council meetings as the representative for Lovettsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue, strengthening the partnership between the town and the volunteer company. Drawing on his engineering expertise and attention to detail, he regularly reviewed development plans to ensure roadways and cul-de-sacs were designed to safely accommodate emergency apparatus.

Even when many might have stepped back, Mike remained deeply involved-often spending time at the station and covering shifts for Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Career staff as needed. He was a regular member of the Friday Day Crew at the Purcellville Rescue Squad and later joined both the Purcellville Volunteer Rescue Squad and the Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company. He served with distinction as Fire Captain with Lovettsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue, EMS Captain with the Purcellville Volunteer Rescue Squad, and as a firefighter with the Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company. He also served as President of the Purcellville Volunteer Rescue Squad, providing steady leadership and mentorship to countless members.

Mike's impact extended well beyond Lovettsville and Purcellville. Passionate about training, he taught at the Oliver Dubé Fire and Rescue Training Academy in Leesburg, influencing generations of fire and EMS professionals. After earning his Virginia State BLS Evaluator certification, he evaluated nearly every State Consolidated Testing Site conducted by the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System. Widely recognized for his expertise in driver training, Mike-alongside co-instructor Rodney Krone-conducted monthly Emergency Vehicle Operator Courses throughout Loudoun County and the Northern Virginia region, significantly shaping the safety and professionalism of public safety providers across the area. His dedication to fire and rescue has been recognized by his induction into the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System Hall of Fame in 2023.

Mike's legacy is one of selfless service, integrity, and leadership. He is survived by his wife, Tracey (Curry); his son, Michael Senate Jr.; his grandson, David Senate; his father-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his former spouse, Sue Senate; though their paths diverged, they remained connected through family and mutual respect. He leaves behind countless friends and colleagues, and to all those he touched in fire and rescue, he will always be considered family.

A celebration of life will be held at Lovettsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue located at 12837 Berlin Pike, Lovettsville, Virginia on Sunday, February 15th at 3:00 PM. Anyone who wishes to attend is asked to reply using the link below before Wednesday, February 11th.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA4AD28A3F8C34-62099364-celebration

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Lovettsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Purcellville Volunteer Rescue Squad, Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company or Blue Ridge Care. The Family would like to thank you in advance for any donations.