George David Senerchia, II

NORTHFORD - George D. Senerchia II, 69, of Northford, CT, was called to his eternal resting place on Wednesday August 9, 2023.

George was born on October 21, 1953 in New Haven, CT, a son of the late George and Dorothy (Cummings) Senerchia, brother of Sandra Casagrande of Bunn North Carolina and the late Jon Senerchia. George graduated from Hamden High School where he was an athlete playing football and hockey.

George was well known within the Northford community for his larger-than-life personality. He was a passionate man with many interests and most notably were his interests in furniture making, building restoration and American History, especially the Revolutionary War. George brought beauty and a renaissance of timber framing to the world. His timber framing was a timeless gift of craftsmanship for all to behold. When Connecticut was losing old barns at an alarming rate, George made it his mission to preserve them, saving what could be reused and building anew. He listened to what the barns told him, wrote down their secrets and passed them on. He began taking on apprentices and organizing classes. He taught the nearly lost art of post and beam construction to hundreds of students throughout the United States and as far away as Ireland, Argentina and Sweden. His passion led him to form the Northford Timber Framers where he has been the revolutionary barn leader of the group for the past 27 years. The original mission became much more and the volunteer crew grew annually, crafting timbers, and raising barns to earn donations for the Transplant Fund. George led his group to build barns in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Jersey accomplishing the raising of 69 barns in 46 years.

He was diagnosed with heart disease in 2001, retiring from Schindler Elevator after a successful career as an installer and service supervisor throughout the New Haven Area. He was given a second chance and received a heart transplant in 2004 because a Boston woman signed her donor card. George took his "Boston Girl's" heart on quite a journey. He honored her with his pink Red Sox hat, talking about shopping at Fashion Barn, his new love of shoes and with the heart of a woman, he loved dancing to his Shania Twain favorite "Man! I Feel Like a Woman".

George regularly spent time at Yale New Haven Hospital mentoring patients pre and post-transplant, sharing his own experiences and comforting words. He was an avid promoter of organ donation and encouraging others to "Be a Miracle; Be a Donor". His remarkable spirit was full of kindness and compassion. He possessed much courage, strength, and optimism...an inspiration to us all.

George was an extraordinary individual whose energy seemed boundless as he lived his life to the fullest. George was not one to sit and was happiest when in motion . . . accomplishing, achieving, creating, dreaming, fixing, building.

He made the most of his life, always squeezing out the most living possible of every 24 hours, every breath he had. And when his native heart gave out and he was given a second chance to "beat on", he made sure he showed his gratitude for this blessing and honor, by making the most of that life. Such a special, talented, kind, and fun man that walked (and climbed) among us.

George never passed by an opportunity to be a bit mischievous, bringing laughs and levity to any situation. His unique ability to tell a story captivated his audience, sometimes eliciting laughter and tears together.

George was one with nature and had a deep love of animals, wanting to save them all. It was common for him to pull over to ensure an animal was respectfully removed from the road. He loved his waterfowl and cared for his beautiful flock of swans, geese and ducks with great joy and commitment.

George loved spending time in his shop... lighting a fire while listening to his favorite music, making sauce, woodworking and sharpening chisels, and tinkering with Indian motorcycles. Some of his favorite times were traveling to Maine with his close friends for a tool and antiquing road trip. George was passionate about so much but it was the simple things in life that pleased him most.... a fire, a football game, walks with his dogs, listening to music, a trip for ice cream, a garden center, his perennials, planting trees. He was driven... a runner, skater, and with his donor heart was a 4-time member of the Connecticut Transplant Olympic Team, winning medals in shotput and swimming events.

George's miracle heart allowed him to touch many lives and he has left an immeasurable impact. His influence reached far beyond his individual relationships, as he brought people together, fostering a warm and welcoming environment where connections and friendships thrived. The community that George built is a testament to his caring nature and the lasting impression he left on those around him. His legacy of generosity, friendship and determination will live on through his family, his friends, his students and his Northford Timber Framer Family. George not only accomplished the preservation of an ancient art and craft, but also the enduring legacy to be left for future generations with each of these creations. His legacy is not only in the physical, material structures he created, but more importantly in the skill he imparted to others, readily apparent by the loyal following of devoted timber framers.

Such an inspirational and influential man who'll be missed dearly by so many whose lives he affected, changed or saved with his charismatic ways. He truly blessed us all with his wit, wisdom and warmth. We will never get over losing him, just like we will never get over having him... so bright and splendid a person that it seemed he barely needed light to see his way. He taught us all so much - including how to live as we die.

He will be deeply missed by his fiancé Kim Hope, daughter Melissa Senerchia and his Northford Timber Framer Family.

He is also survived by his cousin Michael Senerchia, nephews Tim Casagrande, Chris Casagrande, Terry Casagrande, Dan Casagrande, Russell Senerchia and Keith Senerchia, as well as his former wife Susan Senerchia.

A service will be held on Friday, September 15th at 11 am ET at the Northford Cemetery, 27 Spruce Street Northford, Connecticut, 06472.

George's charitable giving heart will live on through his devoted Northford Timber Frame group as they continue his legacy giving to organ recipients as well as others in need. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Northford Timber Framer Fund. Checks may be made payable to NTF Fund @ PO Box 369, Northford, CT 06472.

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