Jose de Jesus Serio

February 16, 1922 – April 30, 2025

Jose de Jesus Serio, affectionately known as "Mongo," passed away on April 30, 2025, in Irvine, California, at the age of 103, a year after his loving wife's death. He was a devoted husband to his wife Margo (deceased), an exceptionally caring father to his daughters Lilia, BeQy (deceased) and Annie, a loving grandfather to his 9 grandchildren, great-great grandfather to 10, and steadfast friend to many. He passed away in the late afternoon of April 30, 2025, at his home in Irvine surrounded by his loving family.

Jose was born in Cuba on February 16, 1922, and was a celebrated trombonist who began his musical career at a very young age. He was one of four children and the only one that followed in his father's musical footsteps. He became the lead trombonist at CMQ Radio Centro, a Lieutenant in the Navy, lead trombonist in the Navy band, and lead trombonist in the Havana Symphony Orchestra. Throughout his career, he also recorded with many famous artists, including Nat King Cole, Celia Cruz, Riz Ortolani, Olga Guillot, and Benny Moré, and played in prestigious venues and Big Band orchestras in Cuba.

Jose and his wife of 75 years, Margarita, had three daughters. Jose was one of the brave Pedro Pan Operation fathers who valiantly sent his two oldest daughters alone to the U.S. soon after Castro’s Cuban Revolution. Jose and his family faced challenges during the Cuban Revolution, ultimately escaping the eyes of his comrades to reach the United States in 1961 with his youngest daughter after a tumultuous period marked by fear and uncertainty.

After relocating to the U.S., he continued his music career, playing with various symphony orchestras, dance bands, and conjuntos in cities like Miami, Detroit, and California. Jose also worked for F.E. Olds, a manufacturer of brass instruments, especially trombones, cornets, and trumpets in Fullerton, California.

Jose was a dedicated family man and remains a celebrated musician.

A funeral mass is planned at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, in Tustin,

on Tuesday, June 24th, at 12 noon. You may access the Live streaming of the mass through the YouTube, St. Cecilia Catholic

Church channel, and search for Jose de Jesus Serio.