Juan Serrano Sr., 93
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Juan Serrano Sr., 93, of 92 Elm St. died Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, at Williamstown Commons.
Born in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, on Oct. 12, 1922, son of Genaro and Lorenza Ortiz Serrano, he attended schools in Barranquitas.
Mr. Serrano learned how to cook as a civilian working for the Army in Puerto Rico. When he came to the United States in 1951, he began working as a chef in restaurants in Connecticut and Massachusetts. He was last employed as the head chef at The Springs Restaurant in New Ashford, retiring in 1965 due to an illness.
He was a communicant of the former St. Anthony of Padua Church. In addition to cooking, he enjoyed gardening, woodworking, reading, feeding the birds and watching sports, especially baseball, wrestling and boxing.
He was devoted to his family and enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
His wife, the former Elsie E. Raney, whom he married on Sept. 4, 1959 in Stephentown, N.Y., died on June 25, 2002.
He leaves three sons, Carlos Serrano and his wife, Kim, and Juan Serrano Jr. and his wife, Kimberly, all of Adams, and Roberto "Bert" Serrano and his wife, Miriam, of North Adams; six daughters, Juanita Serrano-Martinez and her husband, Israel, of North Adams, Rosita "Zita" Serrano of Savoy, Elena "Cookie" Serrano Briggs and her husband, Fran, of Adams, Migdalia Serrano and Iraida Serrano, both of Puerto Rico, and Edna Serrano Salvatore of Kissimmee, Fla.;a brother, Eusebio "Peter" Serrano of North Adams; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and and nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brothers Justino, Castulo, Francesco and Casimiro, and his sisters Julia, Selsa, Matilda, Petra and Isabel.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Services for Mr. Serrano will be private. There will be no calling hours. Burial will be in Eastlawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Alzheimer's Association in care of Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St. North Adams, MA 01247.