John Edward Senkyr
Feb. 8, 1953 – Jan. 13, 2026

Johnny passed away peacefully on Jan. 13, 2026, at home with his loving family by his side, after a long battle with cancer. He showed amazing strength and courage facing this battle and despite his pain he always had a smile for everyone.

John was born on Feb. 8, 1953, to parents June and John Senkyr on the family farm in the Evergreen area. He was the first son, having four older sisters: Judy, Marilyn, Donna and Barbara; followed by younger siblings Randy and Isabelle.

Growing up, Johnny enjoyed helping on the farm, participating in 4-H and even tried his hand at calf roping. He worked on the drilling rigs for many years on and off and during the winter months, he would come home when break-up started to do the spring work on the farm. Some of the companies he worked for were Precision, Nabors and Jomax. He started with Cactus and always went back there whenever they started up. Johnny really enjoyed his days in the patch and was always very happy to swap stories with others and tell his family many interesting stories as well.

Following the sudden passing of John’s father in 1977, John took over the family farm. Johnny married his high school sweetheart Rita Ogilvie in 1972. The following year they had their son Bobby, followed by daughter Jennifer, in 1976. They were the light in his life. When the kids were younger, they farmed as well as operated a dairy barn. After retiring from dairy farming, Johnny continued to farm with range cattle. In this time, he also worked as a long-haul trucker, which didn’t last too long as he didn’t like being away from home. His love for trucking and his love for the oilpatch led him into starting his very successful business, Senkyr Water Hauling. In the later years, John continued farming, growing and selling green feed and hay.

John’s mom June loved living on the farm, and he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. She lived there with John and his family for many years. John — as well as his sisters and their families (who spent a great deal of time coming to help and visit) — always made sure she was well looked after and loved; she moved to town later in life.

John and Rita parted ways after the kids were grown but always stayed friends.

In 1999, Johnny met a sweet gal named Jane Denny. He then found the love that he would forever hold for the rest of his life. They moved in together in 2000 and in 2008 he married his beautiful Jane. Together they ran the farm and enjoyed spending time with their kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, as well as family and numerous friends. John and Jane were well suited for each other, they both enjoyed camping and being outdoors. They loved travelling together. John finally got to go on a tour to the Yukon that he always dreamt of with Jane and their good friends, Albert and Tahanita.

Family was the most important part of Johnny’s life. When it came to the little ones, he certainly had a soft spot. He loved snuggling with the babies and watching them as they played and learned. John always had the time to stop and teach his children and grandchildren, as well as any child who was interested in learning. As much as he cared for the littles, you could see that they loved him just as much. He was always there with a helping hand or to offer advice. All the kids would say, “If Papa can’t fix it, no one can!!”

John worked very hard in life to provide for his wife and always helped his family in times of need. His free time was spent camping, horseback riding, and curling. John and Bobby played in many bonspiels together. Johnny and Jane hosted many family reunions and holiday feasts over the years. He also enjoyed cheering on his beloved Oilers.

John’s life was lived just as he wanted it to, he was born and raised on the over-century-old Senkyr Family Farm, and he passed in the same place. He was very proud of the farm.

Johnny will be lovingly remembered by his loving wife Jane; daughter Jennifer (Mike) Avramovich; daughter-in-law Savonn Senkyr; stepsons: Lucas Denny, Matthew (Megan) Denny; grandchildren: Jordan, Ashton (Tyler), Damien, Katie (Brett), Toryn (Austin), Keira (Dawson), Rayne, DJ, Keegan, Lily and Evelyn; great-grandchildren: Jaxsen, Gabriel, Johnny, PJ, June, Wheeler, Bobby and Luca; siblings: Marilyn Baron, Donna Ross, Isabelle (Darcy) Stuart; brother-in-law Pete Boyle; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Johnny was predeceased by his parents John and June Senkyr; his son Bobby Senkyr; his brother Randy Senkyr; his sister and brother-in-law Judy (Ken) Leer; nephew Rocky Leer; sister Barbara Boyle; and his brothers-in-law: Tom Ross and Emil Baron.

A funeral service will be held at the Evergreen Community Hall on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations be made to STARS Air Ambulance.

Condolences may be forwarded to www.rockyfuneralhome.ca.

Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements.