Louis F. Serra
October 11, 1927 ~ July 6, 2012
Louis F. Serra, 84, President and CEO of Serra Village and local Philanthropist died Friday, July 6, 2012 in the Weirton Medical Center. He was born October 11, 1927 in Weirton, where he has resided his entire life. He graduated from Weir High School in 1945, served in the U.S. Army 1946-1947, received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Ohio University in 1951 and his Masters Degree from Duquesne University.
Mr. Serra built The Weirton Convalescent Center in 1969 (a 100-bed facility) and opened in 1970. An Alzheimer Unit was added in 1990, making it 137-beds. Included in the complex is Serra Manor, a 32-bed Assisted Living facility and Grandview Terrace, a 20-unit Independent Living facility. Weirton Conference Center and Chestnut Manor, a HUD project for the disabled, were added in recent years.
The "Serra Foundation", a public foundation, was started in 1984. It contributes to local charities that aide the underprivileged plus grants to local high schools to support annual scholarships. This foundation will continue to fund these types of grants to the Weirton community.
Mr. Serra was a former News Director for WEIR Radio, Administrative Aide to Congressman Cleveland Bailey 1960-1962, served as a full-time instructor at Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH 1963-1967 and has served as Weirton Geriatric Center Complex Administrator for 30 years and, presently, as President/CEO.
He received the "Distinguished West Virginian Award" for his service to the community. Governor Caperton honored him in 1990 and Governor Underwood in 2000. The Upper Ohio Valley Italian Festival named Serra the "Honoree" in 1990. He also served as President of the Weirtonian Lodge and Who's Who West Virginia Business Award winner in May, 2012.
Mr. Serra was active on both the state and local levels in the nursing home profession and was appointed by Governor Manchin as a member of the West Virginia Administrators Licensing Board. He also served as Past President of the West Virginia Chapter of Nursing Home Administrators.
In addition to his parents, Joseph and Lettie Ferrari Serra, Mr. Serra is preceded in death by his second wife Cecelia Front-Serra, son Joseph Serra, sisters Marie Serra, Delores Serra and Phyllis DiGirolamo, brothers Guy and Charles Serra.
Mr. Serra is survived by his wife Theresa Carpini Serra; daughters Rhonda (Geno) Quatrtrochi and Cindy (Joseph) Alongi all of Weirton; step-children Rosanna Bennett of Irvine, CA, Albert (Michelle) Panella of Westminster, CA, Ron (Kathy) Front of Columbus, OH, Chris (Jessica) Front of South Carolina and Madonna (Jim) Heiss of Morgantown, WV and grandchildren Jason, Joseph, Gina and Lettie Quattrochi, Casey Richards, Serra Alongi, Joseph and Nathan Panella, Terese and Anthony Bennett, Michael Panella, Zachary Serra and James Heiss and great-grandaughter Sophia Quattrochi.
Visitation will be held Sunday 4-8PM and Monday from 1-3 and 6-8PM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated 11AM Tuesday at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church with Reverend Father Manuel Gelido and Reverend Father Larry Dorsch concelebrating. Entombment will be in St. Paul Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Serra Foundation, 2525 Pennsylvania Avenue, Weirton, WV 26062.
Rhonda and Cindy im so sorry for your loss, Lou was always so kind to me he will be missed. Love Always lance
Mr Serra was a good man and had a kind heart and loved everyone and will be sadly missed by all.
Our deepest sympathy to the Serra family. Lou helped so many families, including ours, when our grandmother/mom (Anna Bertha)needed care back in 1979. We will be forever thankful for the Weirton Geriatric Center. Lou Serra was an angel here on earth doing God’s work. May he Rest in Peace.
This was the best boss ever for my last 16 years. . Generous, kind, full of wisdom and stern when he had to be. I love him and will miss him always. It will never be the same without him here. R.I.P. my dear friend and my father figure!!
Rhonda and family,Sorry to hear of your great loss.your father did a lot of good work for the community and will be missed.god bless .
Rhonda, Cindy, Theresa and Family, Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be part of your extended family. Mr. Serra was not only my boss, but a true friend! In our talks he always said how proud he was of his family and how much he appreciated everything you all have given to make his life complete. May God Bless each and every one of you and give you strength to move forward. Blessings, Patti
My deepest sympathies to you Theresa and to Rhonda & Cindy. I was so surprised and sad to hear the news when Augie called me this morning. He lived and good life filled with memories of those he cared so much for as well as many children and grandchildren to carry on his name. My prayers will be with you as you celebrate a full life well lived. He will be missed.
Rhonda and Theresa and family, so sad to hear about Lou, he was a kind and wonderful and sharing person and he has a family that is just like him. My wife and I will be leaving early Sunday Morning for vacation, sorry I cannot come to the services. Will be thinking about you all with good thoughts and prayers. My deepest sympathy. God bless you all.
Lou’s guidance and thoughts were an inspiration to all of us in the Health Care field. His leadership was significant.
Thersa I am so sorry to hear about Lou. He was a wonderful man. My prayers are with you and your family.Much Love Maey
I am so sorry to learn of Mr. Serra,s passing.I never met him , but I know of his kindness and generosity towards my mother, Mary Keifer,a resident of Serra Manor and Weirton Geriatric, who left us in 2010.Sincerest sympathy to his family.
My Condolences to Mr. Serra’s Family. I found Mr. Serra to be a Good Employer and a Man of Honor and a Friend to everyone. God Bless All His Family and Friends, Bruce
Rhond and Cindy. So sorry to hear of your loss of your father and the loss of a great man who has accomplished so much. I feel the pain you, Theresa and the family are all going through. god will help you every step of the way. god bless and may you find comfort in Gods hands.
Theresa, whoever invented the term “one hell of a man” they were talking about Lou Serra. You are in our thoughts and prayers! Philip Anile and Family
Dear Serra Family–Words can not express the gratitude, we the Barnabei Family, have received through out the many years of being blessed with knowing Lou & all of you!! The Barnabei’s & the Serra’s connected in a very special way, that have touched our lives forever. After losing both our father’s, Earl & Anthony—Lou became a inspiration & a second father figure that we looked up to and admired. He taught us many things about helping others, & letting the Lord guide our way. He will be greatly missed by each of us, yet the love we shared will never die but live on in memories cherished. May the Brother–Hood remain forever in our hearts. Love & Blessings, Patti & Joe Barnabei & Family
To the Serra Family: Lou was a true follower of Christ, helping others in need. He was a great inspiration to our community & one that we all can learn from in our daily lives. He will be greatly missed, but his memory will live on in our hearts. He truly was loved by many. Blessings, Never Alone WV
Our thoughts and prayers are with Lou and his family. Lou was a very special person and true pioneer for the long term care profession in West Virginia. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered. -Jesse & Kathy Samples
My thoughts and prayers are with Lou’ family. He was a very special man and will be missd by many.
Our thoughts are with Lou and you Terry. Much love!
Cindy,Rhonda and Family, A lot of good memories of your father when we were young,glad I had the opportunity to see him in December at my own fathers funeral. Your memories and how much he loved you all will keep you going.
Theresa, and family, I am so sorry for your loss, please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers, and that God will help you through this difficult time. valerie truini (bob evans)
DEAR RHONDA AND CINDY I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS YOUR DAD WAS A VERY WELL LIKE PERSON.MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU BOTH LOVE ALWAYS LEISA AND FAMILY.
DEAR RHONDA AND CINDY SORRY TO HERE ABOUT YOUR DAD,I WISH I COULD OF COME AND PAID MY RESPECTS LOVE YOU BOTH GOD BLESS YOU BOTH LOVE JAMIE AND EDIE.
Rhonda and Family, Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Lou. He was a wonderful man who did so much for his community. He will be missed. May he rest in peace. Vic and Isha Greco
My thoughts and prayers go out the Serra Family. I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Serra through the WV Health Care Association and The American College of Health Care Administrators. He is an exceptional leader and will be missed by many.
Uncle Lowie was my godfather. He met my dad Bob Carano when they were students at Ohio University. As a child he always made me feel special. I had the privilege to see him and his wife Teresa a few years ago, when they came to Athens with my uncle Don and aunt Lynn. He was very kind to my family and I will never forget him. He will be missed
It was both an honor and a pleasure to work with Lou and get to know him. He was as sharp and astute as any business person i know but he also had qualities that i find are missing from many business people-COMPASSION and CARING. I will never forget some of the “vibrant” meetings we had at the WGC. The meetings were loud and vibrant and we always seemed to come to the right answer, always taking into consideration the underlying mission of the organization, the care of the people at Lou’s facilities. Lou will be missed but certainly not forgotten as he has left a lasting positive impression on me. RIP my friend.
Mr. Serra was loving and kind towards our Mother when she lived at Grandview. My deepest sympathy is extended to the Serra Family.
God be with you, until we meet again.
Dear Serra Family, Our community has lost one of its greatest citizens. His good works will long be remembered. Lou was one of the most generous, kindest men I have ever known. I remember listening to him on WEIR when I was young–can still hear his radio voice. Our prayers, sympathy, and love go out to the family and to all involved with the Weirton Geriatric Center whom I am sure he considered family as well. Tony & Ruth Licata
terry we were so sorry to hear about lou . and sorry we missed you…you are in our thoughts and prayers…sheryl shelli karen koots and michael and families….
terry we were so sorry to hear about lou . and sorry we missed you…you are in our thoughts and prayers…sheryl shelli karen koots and michael and families….
Dear Rhonda & Family, Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss ~~~ I know your Dad was a very special man, who will be missed by many ~~~ always remember the good times, they will comfort you~~Be well, with sympathy & friendship, Janice & Mike Petrovich Memory Eternal
So sorry to hear about the death of Louis. I will be praying for your family. Jean Hansen (friend of Rosanna)
Dear Rhonda, Cindy and families, I was so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. He was such a visionary for health care in West Virginia. You are in my prayers. Carol
Our condolences to Theresa and family.
I have known Lou since I graduated from high school and started working at the Homestead Nursing home in Lancaster in 1970. Lou was my mentor and friend and will be truly missed and fondly remembered. My condolences to the entire Serra family.
My thoughts & prayers to the Serra family. Fond memories of working with him at the geriatric center. He will be remembered & missed.
To Rhonda, Cindy,Theresa and family: Lou will be greatly missed and he has a special place in Heaven and is at rest. May you always remember your good memories and family times. May God bless you and your strong family. May he give you added grace, mercy and wisdom in the days ahead. He will be greatly missed a fine gentlemen.
Our deepest sympathy to all the Serra Family. Lou was a wonderful person and will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sincerely, Mark & Renee Richardson
My deepest sympathy to the family of Lou Serra. May God keep all of you in His care. Karen Jackson Connell (former employee)
Rhonda and family, I am so shocked and sadden to hear of your fathers passing. What a wonderful,kind man he was. Know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers. The Dorich family.
Kind, generous, loving, encouraging, visionary,faithful,Christian,hardworking,intelligent, spiritual, philosophical, inspiring, forgiving, learner, activator and Protector. These are the words I heard describe my dear Uncle as so many professed tribute to this great man. They are words that proclaim the gifts of the Holy Spirit in action, and so I am reminded of our Jesus’ words of comfort: I will send my Holy spirit to be with you. The Spirit of the Lord was upon our Lou and so he answered the Christian call to “feed my sheep”. Mayor Tony reminded us of the shepherd who lived to protect others. Now it is upon those of us still on the journey to protect the least, the lost and the left behind. May we all go forth to love and serve as the Holy Spirit guides us. love to all of my cousins and dear Aunt.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. Mr. Serra will be missed by all who knew him.
Cindy and Rhonda, so sorry to hear about your dad. I will always remember the early morning rides to St. Joe’s and crowding into the cars. I don’t remember hearing a bad word about your dad. We will be sadly missed by everyone he touched. May God bless both you.
Lou was a great friend. I really enjoyed our Saturday morning breakfasts together. Especially during the winter months when it was often just him and I there…I will miss those conversations. Also The generous person he was. There are so many times he gave financially as well as with his time to the various projects that touched his heart. I am sure that when he got to heaven the Master of all said, “Welcome home my good and faithful servant!”
What a wonderful Man!!!
To the Family of Lou: So sorry to hear about Lou. He was a great guy and a very caring person. I was very blessed to have known him and call him a friend. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. Eternal Rest grant to him, O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon him. May he rest in Peace. Amen. With deepest sympathy, Pete and Erin Cuffaro Wheeling, West Virginia
Cindy and Rhonda: My deepest sympathy on the passing of your father. He was a precious gift to those who knew him.