Santo Serge

Santo Anthony Serge passed away on February 3, 2018 of natural causes in his home at age 96. He was the son of the late Santo and Caterina (Carito) Serge. Born July 7, 1921 in Carbondale, Pa., he was predeceased by his siblings, Dominic, Joseph, Philipina Baber, Antoinette Denicker, James, and Marie Chaykovsky. He is survived by his wife Althea (Wieand) of 67 years having married on May 13, 1950. They have four children, Larry (Leslie, wife) Serge of Quakertown, Dennis Serge of Philadelphia, Diane Felicetti (Paul, husband) of Boyertown, and Anita Serge of Pennsburg, Pa. There are two grandchildren, Tony Serge of Quakertown and Nikki Mayette (Andrew, husband) of Sellersville, along with step-grandchildren, Paul J. Felicetti of Bensalem and Nicole Felicetti of Philadelphia, Pa. After graduating from Carbondale High School in 1940, Santo was drafted by the Boston Red Sox Farm Team, but was discouraged in carrying out this dream due to his mother's insistence that "He get a real job". A decision to enlist in the Navy at the outbreak of WWII, was suddenly changed when many of the men were drafted from Pennsylvania into Patton's Third Army, the 86th Black Hawk Division. He served as a Sergeant under Patton, MacArthur and Bradley, in the European, and Asian Fronts, and completed his service in 1946. He enlisted on October 1, 1946 as a Pennsylvania State Trooper and was stationed at the Butler, Quakertown, and Bethlehem Barracks where he finished his career as a detective, December 30, 1980. He had a natural athleticism playing in soft ball, and bowling leagues during his adult life. He enjoyed watching his children participate in sports and music during their school years. Many hours were spent in his vegetable garden surrounding by beautiful roses that he looked forward to cultivating each summer. Until he passed away, he would always say "The garden would be bigger this year." He and Althea worshipped at Great Swamp United Church of Christ in Spinnerstown and enjoyed the many outings of the seniors until his health prevented him from participating. Most of all, he shared a love of music with his wife and children, always recounting the stories of the Big Bands which played at Chrystal Lake in Carbondale during the ‘40's. He sang with his siblings during his teenage years on WGBI Scranton Radio and enjoyed listening to hymns at nearby churches. He would never forget the words to songs and harmonized with his wife and children until he passed. Calling hours will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday, February 10, at Trinity Great Swamp UCC, 9150 Spinnerstown Rd., Spinnerstown, Pa. A funeral service will follow. Interment will be in Trinity Great Swamp Cemetery.