The DuPage FSC deeply regrets to announce the passing of it's president of many
years, Mr. Joseph L. Serafine. Mr. Serafine was instrumental in bringing this
club to the high prestige it now has. Under his direction, the DuPage FSC put on
many USFSA competitions including Jr. Nationals, and Jr. World selections and
our own DuPage Opens. We will miss his guidance tremendously and his zealous
love for the sport and its skaters. Our sincere sympathy goes out to the
Serafine family.
Joseph L. Serafine, 88, of Lake Forest, IL and Wellington, FL, passed away
unexpectedly on March 17, 2006. He was born Nov. 19, 1917 in Chicago to Concetta,
nee D'Onfro, and Frank Serafine. Real estate developer and investor in the
Midwest and South Florida. Mr. Serafine still worked every day of the week up
until his passing. Figure skating at all levels - including
international - was one of Mr. Serafine's lifelong passions. He served on the
1980 Winter Olympic Committee in Lake Placid, N.Y., was the president of the
Chicago Figure Skating Club, and is the current president of the DuPage Figure
Skating Club. Mr. Serafine was involved in two Winter Goodwill Games, one World
Figure Skating Championships, and numerous United States championship
competitions. He was a greatly respected national figure skating judge and ice
technician. Scott Hamilton nicknamed Mr. Serafine the "Ice Man." Mr. Serafine is
well known for tinting the ice surface "Serafine Blue" for national U.S. figure
Skating events that required just the right color for figures and television
broadcasts. Although better known for his judging and refereeing, Mr. Serafine
was also a skater who passed his bronze dance test with his wife, Eileen, as his
partner. Mr. Serafine was presented the prestigious F. Ritter
Shumway Award in 1992 that honored his unending dedication and significant
contribution to the world of figure skating without financial gain.
Additionally, Mr. Serafine received the ultimate honor for his contributions to
figure skating with his induction in 1996 to the United states Figure Skating
Hall of Fame. Mr. Serafine also had a passion for golf. He
was a low-handicap golfer who enjoyed his lessons with Peter Kostas and his
longtime friendship with philanthropist Harry Radix. Among his many awards, Mr.
Serafine was proud of his hole-in-one trophy he received in 1952 at Old Orchard
Country Club. Mr. Serafine's dedication and devotion to his family was
unparalleled. He is survived by his wife, Eileen, nee Strobel; and two
daughters, Karen (Daniel) Considine of Winnetka and Jan (Alan Eisenberg)
Serafine of Lake Forest; grandfather of Shaun (John) Fitzgerald of London,
Sheila (Michael) Kailus of Chicago, John P. Considine of Chicago, Erik Serafine
of Chicago and Andrew Serafine of Chicago; great-grandfather of Margaux
Fitzgerald and Kelly Kailus. He is also survived by one brother, Daniel (late
Winifred Connolly) of Menlo Park, CA. Mr. Serafine was preceded in death by his
sisters and brothers, Anna (Joseph Rosanova), Valentine (Anna Hrzyck), Angela (Attilo
Stasio), Josephine (Val Conte) and Genevieve (Arthur Lucangioli). He was also
uncle to many nieces and nephews including Charles (Gay Hastings) Marino; and
brother- in-law to Norma (the late Robert) Anderson, late Jack (Peggy Elliott)
Strobel and the late Lila Lee (Howard) Thoren.
In lieu of
flowers, contributions may be made to the United States Figure Skating Memorial
Fund, 20 First Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (ww.usfsa.org) or the charity
of your choice. Visitation will be Thursday, March 23, 2006 from 4 p.m. to 8
p.m. at Wenban Funeral Home, 320 East Vine Ave., Lake Forest, IL 60045.
The Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Friday, March 24 at St. Patrick's Church (the
new church), 991 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. Entombment Ascension Cemetery,
1920 Buckley Road, Libertyville, IL 60048. Info, 847-234-0022 |
