Raymond "Ray" Eugene Serena
June 19, 1939 ~ August 30, 2024
Born in:
Pueblo, Colorado
Resided in:
Beulah Valley, Colorado
Raymond “Ray” Eugene Serena, 85, was born on June 19, 1939, in Pueblo, Colorado to Dean and Helen Serena. Ray’s 44 year teaching career took him to East High, Questa High School, SCSC (CSU Pueblo), Central High and PCC – teaching English, Speech, Journalism and Photography. A beloved teacher, he had an uncanny ability at recognizing his former students. His teaching career spanned over four decades, sparking his interest in photography, which lead to numerous trips to New Mexico. His home is graced with his remarkable black and white photos of the old churches of northern New Mexico. He was a graduate of the Central Class of ‘57 and was proud of being the second of four generations of Central graduates. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Friends of the Cathedral and Pueblo Art Guild. Ray was married to the love of his life, Kathy, for 56 years. After they lost their son Jeff, they moved to Beulah beginning a new way of life. He always referred to his son, Jeff, as his best friend. Spending time with his five children, thirteen grandchildren and three great granddaughters were his greatest joy. He leaves behind his wife, Kathy; beloved children- Raylene (Tony) Speechley, Bob (Velvet) Serena, Chris (Tracy) Serena, and Bryan (Monica) Serena; 13 beautiful grandchildren: Kathleen (Taylor) Snyder, Rebecca and David Speechley; Robert, Allen, Cameron, John and Alisa Serena; Shelby (Ezra) Maldonado, Isabella and Isaiah (Taylor) Serena; Julianna and Jakob Serena; great-granddaughters, Sara Serena, Scarlett Snyder and Harper Maldonado; brothers-in-law: Ralph (Sydney) Seaman, John Seaman, Tom (Jude) Seaman; sister-in-law: Mary Ellen Donley, who gave Ray and us all extraordinary care. Much loved nieces and nephews; Dear friends – Jim and Cori Cameron, Claudine Riccillo and Rob Knudson; his cherished Tuesday Coffee group: Dick Amman, Tom Janoski, Jim Campbell, Ed Kamnikar and Jeff Broome; his Beulah Church family; and his furry friend, Brody. The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Parkview 4-East for their excellent care and Compassus Hospice nurses, Christi, Melanie and Jennifer for their care and compassion. Contributions, in memory of Ray, can be made to: The Arc of Pueblo or Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Rosary and time for sharing stories at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Beulah: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4th. Mass of Christian Burial at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5th, followed by interment at Roselawn Cemetery. Reception to follow. Online condolences, www.MontgomerySteward.com
Services
Rosary: September 4, 2024 5:00 pm
Our Lady of Lourdes in Beulah
8800 Maryknoll
Beulah, CO 81023
719-485-3243
Funeral Mass: September 5, 2024 9:30 am
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
11th St. & Grand Ave.
Pueblo, CO 81003
719-542-1552
Kathy and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Ray was a very special person whom I was blessed to know. The same is said about you. You have my prayers and sincere condolences. May God bless.
Kathy and family, I am so sorry to hear about Ray. I will always remember our visit with you and Ray at your new beautiful home in Beulah. We will keep you and your family in our prayers. May Ray RIP. God Bless. Ron and Janice
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family for Ray’s passing. He now smiles on you. You we’re and anchor in his life and I know you will continue to be for those round you. . . .A dynamic duo!
Analee Beck
Ray was a printing student of mine at Keating Junior high in the mid-1950s. He had a strong interest in printing and would come to classroom-shop after regular hours just to work on a project. He was an excellent student, and completed every project he worked on. Ray taught me how to call square dances, a knack he learned from his dad. I’ve seen Ray many times during his adult life, and we enjoyed recalling many of those memories. My deepest sympathies to the Serena family on Ray’s passing. He was a good friend, and my last goodby is “circle up!”
Edith Edson
I first came to know of the Serena family shortly after I gave birth to a daughter, in 1992, who was born with Down syndrome. Kathy reached out to me and offered encouragement and resources. Through Kathy’s willingness to share about her family and their experience, I came to know about Jeff and quickly realized that he was the love of his families life. In 1996, I wanted to pursue a degree in sociology and enrolled at PCC. I was blessed to have Ray as the instructor of my speech class. I felt a bond with him as I had Kathy and he too took me under his wing and offered encouragement and advice and shared about the love he had for Kathy, his children and his best friend, Jeff. My daughter will be 32 in November, and although it’s been years since I last talked to Ray or Kathy they have always held a special place in my heart. My deepest condolences to the entire Serena family- Milissa and Hunter Golob
I’m so very sorry for the loss of your husband and father. He was one of the only friends of my father, Chuck (Buddy) Patti, to visit him when he was sick and in the nursing home. He came to Dad’s funeral and re-introduced himself to me. What and awesome man.
What a nice man, your dad was! I would talk to him at mass at the Cathedral.
I offer my deepest sympathy to you and your family. May memories of him, bring you, peace, and comfort.
What a nice man, your dad was! I would see him when we attended Mass at the Cathedral.
I offer you and your family, my deepest sympathy.
My sincere condolences to the Serena family. I never had Mr. Serena as a teacher, but I knew him as a very nice and kind man. When I attended Central High School, I always wanted him as a teacher because of the reputation he had. He was known as a very nice, kind and compassionate man. He would stand in the hallway and say “hi” to everyone and anyone passing by. I saw him once at King soopers, years ago and I walked by him and he did the same thing, he said ” hi” to me, a stranger. I’ve known Bryan for many years, and he is the same kind of man; very kind, compassionate and an exceptionally good man.
I am so very sorry for your loss and please know that your family is in my thoughts, every day.
Peace be with you.
I am so sorry to hear of Ray passing away. I was in his college speech class. I remember he always told us stories and made us laugh in class. He had a way of making the class less frightening for us with stage fright. I also enjoyed talking about photography with him. I would always see him at events in town like the Yule log at the Mountain Park. He was very kind and compassionate. May he rest in peace. My thought are with the family.
Kathy and family so sorry to hear of Rays passing. I had speech at USC. Really got to know him when I worked with Jeff. He was so kind and friendly to me as a person who cared for his BFF. I seen how loving he was to you all but Jeff loved when his dad came to get him to go for that we’re going to get a haircut. I will have u in my prays and Jeff and him will now go together again to get their haircut in heaven.
Sending caring thoughts, with lots of love & prayers for God’s peace,
comfort & strength.
Patricia, Patty, Almalynn, Leland, Langdon, & Ainye
Sorry to the loss of Ray. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. RIP, Ray.
God Bless..
The Albano’s
I’m sorry for the double signature, but I wanted to leave my deepest sympathies and condolences to the entire family of Ray Serena….heaven has gained a wonderful man !
Mr. Serena was my journalism teacher at Central High School. Words cannot say enough about “Ray” and what a wonderful person and teacher he was. He always had a smile on his face and was always there for you, whether it be as a teacher or as a friend, and I will remember him as both ! May he rest in peace and sleep with the angels. You will never be forgotten! Much love <3
My late mother, Jackie, would want me to note that Ray was a treasured colleague in their many years, about 17, in the same department at the university. A good friend to Mom and also to me. Condolences to Kathy and the entire family.
Raylene, Bobby and family, we are so sorry to to hear about Ray. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Jim and Roanna Abel
My sincere condolences to the Serena family. While I never had Mr. Serena as a teacher at Central, he was a wonderful man and a mentor to so many. Despite never having him for a class, whenever I encountered him in the hallways, and even after graduation, Ray would always say “hello” and ask how I had been doing. The world lost an amazing man.
Ray’s passing leaves a void, but his legacy lives on in every word I write. As my high school journalism teacher, he didn’t just teach me about crafting stories; he ignited a lifelong passion for the power of words. This eventually led me to law school and a continued passion for writing outside of work. His lessons on integrity, curiosity, and clear communication have guided me for 35 years. He shaped not just my writing, but how I see the world. He also taught me lessons in how to love out loud. No one could ever doubt the love he had for his wife, his kids, and all of us extended kids. He showed it every day.
To the Serena Family,
Every time we saw Ray he was so happy to see us and always stopped to talk to Mike & I.
Please know are prayers are with all of you.
To the Serena Family:
I meet Ray in my college days when it was SCSC and then CSU Pueblo. I later found out that my parents (Ron and Florence) and Ray went to school together. I loved meeting my parents’ classmates, they were and still are one of the better generations out there. I often think I would like to have been right there alongside them in those glory days. God bless your family and RIP my friend RIP.
The Carara’s
Rick, Vicki and Mom Florence
Paul & Linda Shields
Raylene
You have our deepest condolences.
Rick and Sandy Raebel
My condolences to the family. Ray was such a nice man! He will be missed.
Ray was such a sweet man. We will miss him so much. Dick loved the time spent with him and the coffee guys.
We are sending our heartfelt condolences, prayers and love during this difficult time. Ray was an amazing part of the family and we will hold many great memories close to our hearts.
With heartfelt love,
Mary, Anne, R.J., Scott, Sarah, Ray