RIP Sendaro

Snakeoil

Well-Known Member
It is truly with a heavy heart that I have to report the passing of our member, Sendaro.

John was a serious shooter having spent much of his early years shooting benchrest at Pinetree GC, the place where BR was invented. John actually wrote a book about the history of the club and I was fortunate enough to get a signed copy from him a few years ago.

John joined Wilton and was bitten by the cast bullet bug several years ago. He was normally the man to beat if you shot off the bench, regardless of the rifle being shot.

John had a true zest for life and always saw the glass half-full. He always had a smile on his face and his laugh filled the room. John had an uncanny ability to make anyone he was talking to feel good about themself. The first time you met John, it felt like you had known him forever.

He was always there to help a fellow shooter and share his vast depth of knowledge. There is no doubt that he will be missed.

If there truly is a Heaven, then it has to have a shooting range and the competition just got bumped up a notch.

Rest in peace my friend.

Rob
 

Snakeoil

Well-Known Member
Thank you, gentlemen.

We shot a match today at the club that we call The Vermont Match, simply because it was thought up by a club in Vermont. Longest target is a standard pig at 300 yds. Anyone here who shoot silhouettes knows that you should "never miss a pig". Well, John's old shooting partner, myself and 2 other shooters all shot a 39 and we all missed on the pig. All of us had shot a very tight group on the pig only to have one shot go wild and miss by more than the slight occasional breeze would ever push a bullet. Plus, my shot went high, my partner's went high, John's old partner's went low and the other shooter's went way left. John often shot a perfect 40 at this match.

We were all comparing notes at the end of the match and we came to the conclusion that John was still around and screwing with us just enough to let us know he was watching from above and not quite through with us just yet.

There was a running gag going on earlier this year where I'd find an old ratty glove in my car when I'd get in to leave at the end of a match. I thought I knew who was doing it (John's partner, Craig) and I started putting the glove in his truck at the following match. This went back and forth for several weeks and one day after I put the glove on Craig's stick shift, he comes back from painting targets and is bitching about this damn glove he keeps finding in his truck. I told him to give up the act because I knew it was he who had been putting it in my car. But he kept a straight face and told me I was nuts and he had no idea what I was talking about. While we are going back and forth, out of the corner of my eye I see John giggling like a schoolkid. I look over and give him the evil stare and he bursts into laughter. He could barely catch his breath he was laughing so hard. It had been John all along who was putting that glove in my car. So today, at the end of the match, I go into my car to get something and sitting on the passenger seat is the glove. I knew it was Craig this time. But it felt like John was still there.

And yes, we are bunch of gray-haired children at Wilton.

Thanks again,
Rob
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
got a little wet eyed at that story.
those are the little things old friends will do, and the things we really miss when they ain't there anymore.
 

Snakeoil

Well-Known Member
I talked to Craig. He did not put the glove in my car and I believe him. Cannot think who else it might have been. Unless John was truly was hanging around the club that day.

regards,
Rob
 

Snakeoil

Well-Known Member
Been a while since I posted in this thread. John's brother Jim shoots with us now. Another great guy. But he's very different from John, sorta. The infamous glove has started to appear again, and it has found its way to my vehicle more than once. Pretty sure Jim is behind this. But like John, he can lie better than anyone I know. Craig still swears innocence, but I think he's a lyin' SOB as well. Guess that's why I like him.

John is still with us at Wilton. His daughter had some ashes left over so he's now buried in two berms at Wilton. I still miss the guy. His laugh was infectious. Jim still has a hard time holding back the tears when his brother's name comes up at Wilton because his name is always followed by a bunch of truly kind words.

Lost a lot of friends over the years. Losing anyone is sad. But some folks just leave a mark like no other. John was one of those.
 
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