Rosario "Roy" Serrentino

Rosario Serrentino, fondly known as “Roy” to his family and friends, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2024.

Roy was born at home in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York, on June 12, 1928; he was the cherished son of the late Eugene and Carmella "Mildred" (Torturese) Serrentino and the twin of his beloved brother Michael.  Roy started his life in New York and as a young teenager his family moved to Wakefield, MA; where he was raised and attended Wakefield Schools.

Following High School, Roy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. in August of 1946, during World War II.  Roy was proud to serve his country; he earned several commendations including a Certificate of Satisfactory Service, Honorable Service and Marine Corps Service Lapel Button and a World War II Victory Medal.  Roy was honorably discharged in March of 1948 and returned home to his family.

Roy loved to work with his hands; he was a talented Mason who joined the Bricklayers Union in Boston following his return from the Marines.  Roy would go on to be a member of the Bricklayers Union Local #3 for over 75 years; his talents were endless, he saw many significant changes in the construction field over the years, and he made many life-long friends with his co-workers. 

Roy married “his sweetheart” and best friend Jean Edmester on May 31, 1952; the couple shared nearly 62 years of marriage and created countless memories with family and friends before her passing in May of 2014.  Roy and Jean built their own home on Lawrence Street in Wilmington where they raised their beautiful family and where they called home for more than thirty years.  Roy and Jean’s door was always open to family, friends, and neighbors.  Roy loved keeping himself busy working around his house and in his yard. Roy was a great friend and neighbor who was always willing to help anyone; he used his time and talents building and fixing most staircases and chimneys on Lawrence Street and beyond.

Roy was also very active in his community; he was a Boy Scout Leader, he belonged to the Shriner’s Organization, and he was a proud Mason at the Friendship Lodge in Wilmington.  Roy was always volunteering his time, no matter the project or fundraiser just to help anyone and everyone in need.

Roy and Jean loved to travel all over where they would see new places and meet new people.  They enjoyed wintering in Punta Gorda, Florida, and spending summers in Wellfleet on Cape Cod. 

Following retirement in the mid 1990’s Roy and Jean moved permanently to the “family home” in Wellfleet, MA, where they loved to spend their spring, summer, and fall seasons boating, fishing, digging for clams, and entertaining family and friends.  When the winter approached, they delighted in returning to their “home away from home” in Punta Gorda where the boating and fishing continued through the winter months along with entertaining family and friends.  A great time was had by all no matter where they were.

Roy was a man of faith who was very active in the Church of the Good Shepherd in Reading for many years; he and Jean helped with countless church fundraisers and projects, and Roy was always helping with Church repairs.  In their later years they also stayed active in their Churches on Cape Cod and in Florida.  Roy’s faith was always with him even throughout his loss of Jean and his health issues in later years.

Roy will be fondly remembered as a “great guy” with a heart of gold.  He was hardworking, generous, and loved his family and friends with all his heart.  Roy was a loving and devoted husband and father; he adored his grandchildren and more recently his great-grandchildren.  His legacy will forever live on through those who loved him.

Roy was the beloved husband of the late Jean E. (Edmester) Serrentino, the devoted father of Alan Serrentino and his wife Susan of Pelham, NH and Susan Liston and her husband Bill of Wilmington. Loving “Papa” of Jennifer Liston, Billy Liston and his wife Molly, Jillian Serrentino, Nathan Serrentino, and “Great-Papa” to Rachel and Trey Liston. Dear brother of Richard Serrentino of Georgia, the late Michael Serrentino, and the late Rose Marie Serrentino.  Roy is further survived by his nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Saturday, April 20th from 9:15 – 11:15 a.m. followed by a Service concluding with Military Honors at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 95 Woburn Street, Reading, MA, at 12:00 noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Roy’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN  38105.

To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com