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Robert J. Senese

Robert “Bob” J. Senese of Ashe County made his transition from this world on Monday, Sept. 3, 2012 at Watauga Medical Center in Boone. He was 82.

Bob was born at home on Jan. 30, 1930 in Bridgeport, Conn., the son of the late Antonio and Theresa Viola Senese and the youngest of 10 children.

Bob worked for many years in the Senese family manufacturing business, with his brothers and many other family members. Bob was accomplished in the martial arts as well as the fine arts, as a jujitsu instructor and an accomplished artist in a variety of media, particularly pen and ink. Bob used his artistic talents and engineering skills to help design and build an earth-sheltered home in Ashe County based on an original design by architect Angus McDonald, a graduate of the Yale School of Architecture.

In his 30 years as a resident of North Carolina, Bob demonstrated his commitment to simple living and high thinking. An avid reader and lifelong learner, later in life Bob completed a doctorate in naturopathy from Clayton College of Natural Health. He freely shared his knowledge of nutrition and healthy living with everyone he met.

Bob’s most defining characteristics were his deeply spiritual nature and the 54 years he devoted to meditation and prayer as a member of Self-Realization Fellowship. Bob’s tremendous compassion for others was evident to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Bob is survived by his wife, Marcy Llamas Senese; brother, Alphonso Senese and wife, Juliette, of Fairfield, Conn.; brother, Harry Senese of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; brother-in-law, John Dapp of Bridgeport, Conn.,; and many dearly loved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He is predeceased by his first wife, Christine Hauck Senese; brothers, Alfred Senese and Oswald Senese; and sisters, Josephine Willard, Edythe Dellamarggio, Ann Guerrera, Mary Dapp and Katherine Leach Dellamarggio.

A memorial service will be held at the home of Helen Mauceri in Wolcott, Conn., at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 9. Bob’s ashes will be interred at St. Michael’s cemetery in Stratford, Conn., at a private ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 8.

Arrangements are being handled by Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory in Boone.