Fr. Deacon Eugene M. Senderak

Father Deacon Eugene M. Senderak, 78, passed away July 25, 2024 due to a long battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Deacon Eugene was born on January 3, 1946 to Eugene and Mary Senderak of Barberton. He was a 1964 graduate of Barberton High School, studied at the University of Akron as well as graduated from the Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, PA. After graduation from high school he joined the United States Navy and served 4 years during the Vietnam Era. When he returned from his Naval duties, he went to work for the BF Goodrich Tire Company (which turned into Michelin, North America). During his time at BF Goodrich he met and married his wife, Mary Ann and moved to Canal Fulton. He retired from Michelin in 2004 and then went to follow a very important interest of his life—that of being a permanent Deacon for the Byzantine Rite and serving his “family” church in Barberton, St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church. Eugene was ordained in 2015 and served his church until his retirement in 2019 because of ill health.

Father Deacon Eugene was preceded in death by his grandparents, Michael and Julia Vargo and Helen Dendak; his parents Eugene and Mary as well as aunt and uncle Julia and Peter Gaida. Also his nephews Nicholas Senderak and David Woog; his brother Francis Senderak; sisters-in-law Julia Senderak and Carol (Senderak) Vargo; and brothers-in-law Julijan Corej and Timothy Thomas.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Ann; his siblings Mary Ann Corej, Martha Dantz, John (Janice)  Senderak, Joseph Senderak and James Senderak as well as his aunt Sister M. Geraldine. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He also leaves his extended Parker family; Rebecca Parker, Suzanne (John) Caldwell, brother-in-law James Wells; niece Christine (James) Schreiber; and great-nephews Jackson and Maxius Schreiber. He will also be missed greatly by his “special” feline children, Gus, Shorty and Slugger. Eugene will also be missed by his Godchildren, Greg Senderak, Jennifer Senderak, Jeff Senderak, Cory Dantz and Sophia Senderak.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, 1051 Robinson Ave., Barberton. Burial at St. Nicholas Cemetery. Calling Hours Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. at the Silva-Hostetler Funeral home, 1199 Wooster Rd. West, Barberton. Parastas at 7:30 p.m. Memorials can be sent to St. Nicholas Church or the Stark County Humane Society.

May God bless Eugene’s family and friends.

“Oh, for the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still.”