Joseph C. Serra
12/02/2024
Joseph C. Serra, Sr. passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024.
Joe was born on August 8, 1940 in Middletown, Connecticut, the eldest son of the late Concetto "Connie" Serra and Marian (Scionti) Serra. He was a loyal, dedicated, and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. A proud lifelong resident of Middletown, he attended local schools, graduating from MacDonough School, Central Middle School, and Middletown High School.
In 1964, Joe met the love of his life Marie (Mazzotta) Serra at City Hall in Middletown where she worked for the summer. In 1969, Joe and Marie married, and then had four children together. Joe was a fiercely loyal, kind, down-to-earth, genuine, and generous man who could never do enough for his family, friends, and community. He loved people and helping people, so much so that he dedicated his life to public service. He was passionate about travel and saw different parts of the country and world with his family, but his heart was always in Middletown, Connecticut.
Joe earned his associate's degree in Business Administration from Middlesex Community College. When his first three children were very young, and while working multiple jobs, he went to college at night to earn his bachelor's degree in Public Administration from the University of Hartford. He always said he went to school 'the hard way' and was passionate about education and making sure it was accessible to everyone who wanted it. In 2020, he was given the Middlesex Community College Foundation Distinguished Alumni Award for his contributions to the community and support of education.
Joe had a long and distinguished career in public service. He joined the Department of Public Works in 1959, and was appointed Deputy Director of Public Works in 1979, retiring from the position in 1996, after 37 years.
In 1992, he ran for State Representative of the 33rd District, and served for 14 terms over 28 years. He worked hard in office and was known as a fighter, pushing to make sure Middletown received the funding and support it needed to thrive. While in office, he served as House Chairman of the Committee on Aging for nearly 10 years and was proud of the accomplishments on behalf of seniors in Connecticut, especially aging-in-place, which gives more seniors and their families the option of staying at home as long as possible. Connecticut's AARP honored Joe for his leadership as House Chair of the Aging Committee for improving the quality of services seniors can receive at home.
He was also a member of the Finance, Judiciary, Transportation, Public Safety & Security, and Revenue & Bonding Committees. He was a founder of the Italian American Legislative Caucus Education Fund, which is a bipartisan organization that provides educational scholarships to learn more about Italian culture. He retired from office in January 2021.
For over 45 years (1979), Joe served as Secretary-Treasurer for the Connecticut Association of Street and Highway Officials (CASHO), a non-profit educational organization he believed in deeply for its ability to connect the public works industry throughout the state and region. He considered infrastructure and transportation to be the backbone of a community. He was presented with the prestigious national Citation for Exemplary Service to Public Works Award during the 2014 APWA International Public Works Congress & Expo in Toronto, Canada.
Joe served on the Middletown Democratic Town Committee since 1984. He was a member of the City of Middletown Retirement Board, a Corporator for Middlesex Hospital, member of the Middlesex Historical Society, member of the Italian American Civic Order, the Elks Club, Kiwanis Club, Falcons Society, Italian Society, Officer & Member of the American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees, President and Vice-President of Middletown Managers & Professionals Association, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Middlesex Community College Foundation. He was also a Justice of the Peace.
Throughout his life, Joe was an avid reader and history buff. He strongly believed that history repeats itself, so it is important to know what happened in the past to ensure a better future. He grew up in the shadow of WWII and would often retell the wartime stories that his parents and family shared with him. Joe was proud of his Italian heritage and proud to be American. He believed in America.
Joe not only loved people but found joy in helping and connecting with people, from all different backgrounds, beliefs, and political affiliations. He wanted to learn about everyone's story and did not care if their opinions were not his own. He saw beyond differences and always tried to find a common bond in all aspects of life. After he left office, his colleagues and friends on both sides of the aisle called often to say how much he was missed and how it was not the same without him – they said simply, "they just don't make 'em like that anymore."
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Marie, who he adored from the first day they met and she him, his children and grandchildren who were all the light of his life: Lauriann Serra, Steven Serra, Joseph C. Serra Jr. and Lisa Gallagher Serra, Lisa Serra and Vincent DiMauro; his seven grandchildren, Nadia, Joseph, Michael, Maria, Conrad, Penelope, and Millie; his sister Loretta Serra and Tom King, sister Joy (Serra) Moncada and Nick Moncada, sister-in-law Maryann Serra, brother-in-law Vincent Mazzotta, and several nieces and nephews, and cousins, all of whom were very special to him. Joe was predeceased by his beloved parents, brother Thomas J. Serra, sister-in-law Meri-Lyn, nephew Bill, and his in-laws Peter and Antoinette (Tommasi) Mazzotta.
The Serra Family would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to the exceptional and compassionate teams at Middlesex Hospital and Hartford Hospital. We will never forget your dedication and kindness.
Family and friends may call on Friday, December 6, 2024 at City Hall, 245 DeKoven Drive, Middletown, CT from 4pm – 8 p.m. Parking will be available.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Sebastian Church, 155 Washington Street, Middletown, CT. Family and friends are invited to go directly to the church. Interment will take place at Saint Sebastian Cemetery on Washington Street in Middlefield.
Donations may be made in Joe's memory to Middlesex Health's Nursing Education Fund, Office of Philanthropy, Middlesex Health, 28 Crescent Street, Middletown, CT 06457 or online at https://middlesexhealth.org/jserra or to the Saint Sebastian Church Renovation Fund, 155 Washington Street, Middletown, CT 06457.