Leonard Wanta Serrano

age 80, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, patriarch, and retired civil

engineer, who passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025, surrounded by his loved

ones. Born on April 29, 1945, in the Philippines, Leonard dedicated his life to

his family and his work. He was more than a son and brother — he was a guide,

a steady hand leading his family toward a better life. As the family patriarch, he

brought his mother, father, three sisters and brother across the ocean to the

United States, determined that they would have the chance to thrive. His dream

was not just for himself, but for all of them, and because of his vision, his

siblings built lives filled with family and opportunity.

He led with his heart. As the eldest brother, his generosity knew no bounds

— he wanted not only to succeed himself but to see his siblings succeed as well.

Thanks to his courage and unwavering support, his family flourished, with his

brothers and sisters raising children of their own. Leonard himself built a life

filled with love, raising three children and cherishing five grandchildren, who

will carry forward his example of strength and kindness.

A devout Catholic, Leonard lived his life grounded in faith, humility, and

service. For more than 25 years, he served as a civilian civil engineer with the

United States federal government, dedicating his talents to supporting the U.S.

Navy. His quiet dedication, problem-solving skills, and integrity left a lasting

mark on those who had the privilege of working alongside him.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Leonard Serrano was a man of

strong opinions, wisdom, and a sharp dry wit. He had a love of gardening, an

obsession with watching golf and tennis, and a die-hard sunrise to sunset

devotion to CNN and Bloomberg. No memory of Leonard would be complete

without recalling him grumbling about waste, while dumping perfectly working

technology without a second thought, or his expert charring of “everything and

anything” on his beloved grill — all while wearing his ever-present Aviators.

Leonard is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Sylvia Serrano; his three

children, Sheila Serrano Lawson, Sharon Serrano, Sinclair Serrano, and his

daughter-in-law, RoAnne Serrano; and five cherished grandchildren, Jordan

Serrano, Ian Lawson, Madison Serrano, Erin Lawson, and Kendall Serrano,

his “little rascal,” who brought him immeasurable pride and joy.

His grandchildren will especially remember his memorable laugh, his

endearing role as the family’s “grumpy old man,” the famous but painful

“grandpa neck massage” and his silly inside jokes and lighthearted “threats”

that never failed to make them smile. Most of all, they will remember how much

he gave — his time, his effort, his wisdom, and his love — to ensure they had

everything they needed to succeed. Because of him, generations have been able

to dream bigger, embrace the life he worked so hard to make possible, and walk

a path he helped pave. His legacy of resilience, perseverance, and devotion to

family will live on through all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and

forever remembered.