Richard T. Serino, 68, a resident of West Pittston, passed into eternal life on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.

His loving wife is Joann C. (Sawicki) Serino. Together, Richard and Joann celebrated their 30^th wedding anniversary on September 15^th.

Born on September 07, 1952, in Kingston, Richard was one of three children born to the late John and Jennie (Shakalinski) Serino.

Raised in West Pittston, Richard was a graduate of Wyoming Area High School, Class of 1970.

A United States Navy veteran, Richard honorably served his country for three years as a Seaman during the Vietnam War. During his time of service, he served aboard the USS Newport News, surviving the 1972 explosion which occurred on the ship, receiving his honorable discharge from injuries sustained in the explosion. He was decorated with the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Unit Commendation, and the National Service Defense Medal.

Throughout his years, Richard was employed as a respiratory therapist at First Valley Hospital, Wilkes-Barre; as a delivery man for the West Side Dairy; as a bartender at Doc’s Sports Bar, West Pittston; and last as a driver of special needs children for Reliable Transportation, Wyoming.

An avid sports enthusiast, Richard was a great fan of the New York Yankees, the New York Giants, and the Boston Celtics. He was also a great fan of horse racing and enjoyed watching the races at Pocono Downs at the Mohegan Sun.

Richard was a gregarious man who was the unofficial mayor of West Pittston. He possessed a beautiful soul and he touched the lives of countless people throughout his life. His family was the center of his life and he would move mountains for his wife, daughters, and grandson. He will forever be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

In addition to his wife, Joann, Richard is survived by his daughters, Erica Gazda and her husband, Jason, Swoyersville; and Chelsea Serino, West Pittston; his grandson, Mason Gazda, Swoyersville; his brother, John Serino, Maryland; his sister, Suzanne Serino, West Pittston; as well as his in-laws, and his numerous nieces and nephews.

Due to concerns over the current pandemic, funeral services at this time will be private. A celebration of Richard’s life will be held in the near future.

Interment will be in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery, Bear Creek.

Funeral Arrangements for Richard have been entrusted to the care of the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort.

To send Richard’s family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home’s web-site, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.