Wayne Henry Segneri

Wayne Henry Segneri, 75, of Phoenix, Ariz., peacefully passed away Tuesday (Sept. 27, 2022), surrounded by loved ones, after a long and difficult battle with cancer. Wayne was born June 11, 1947, the son of Henry and Josephine Segneri, in Chicago Heights. After graduating from Bloom Township High School in 1965, Wayne pursued a degree in speech therapy at Indiana University and received his master's in learning disabilities at National Louis University. Wayne opened Children's Corner preschool in Bradley, in 1976. "Mr. Wayne," as he was lovingly called by his students, was passionate about teaching and touched the lives of many local children over the years. It will be hard to see a harpsichord or a decorated brown shopping bag without fondly thinking of "Mr. Wayne." In his spare time, Wayne was an active member of Kankakee Valley Theatre Association. Many area theater-goers have enjoyed his performances as Daddy Warbucks in "Annie," the cowardly lion in "The Wizard of Oz," Pseudolus, the scheming slave, in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and many more. Wayne also shared his beautiful voice with the community as a cantor and choir member at Maternity B.V.M Catholic Church. After retiring from Children's Corner, Wayne moved to Arizona and continued his love for teaching and performing. He became a teacher's aide at Desert Shadows Elementary, where he also founded and directed spring musicals. The name "Mr. Wayne" followed him to Arizona, and he quickly gained the love and admiration from fellow staff, students and their families. Wayne especially loved his time at Desert Shadows because it allowed him to be close to his three oldest grandchildren, who all attended there. Wayne officially retired in 2019, after 50 incredible years in education. Upon arriving in Arizona, he became a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Scottsdale, where he had been in the choir and was a cantor for many years prior to becoming ill. Wayne is survived by the love of his life, Cheryl Segneri, who he met in 1961 at the age of 14 at a teen club dance (although Wayne always insisted it was at a not-so-romantic bus stop). He is also survived by his and Cheryl's three children, Jason (Christine) Segneri, Susie Segneri and Rachel (Scott) Regnier; sisters, Joyce Wallace and Pam Segneri (Garry Kadzielawski); grandchildren, Connor (Lindsay) Segneri, Emma Segneri, Sara Segneri, Zoey Regnier and Sadie Regnier; as well as a great-granddaughter on the way. Preceding him in death were his parents, Henry and Josephine Segneri; in-laws, William and Isabel Klinger; brother-in-law, John Wallace; and brother-in-law, Bill Klinger. Services will be held in November at Blessed Sacrament Church in Arizona. Memorials may be made to Arizona Hospice of the Valley.

Wayne Henry Segneri

June 11, 1947 - September 27, 2022