Henry R. Serafin

Henry R. "Hank" Serafin, 89, of Dunkirk died Saturday (May 2, 2015) at Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk. He was born Dec. 27, 1925 in Dunkirk, the son of the late Andrzej and Sophia (Glaz) Serafin. A Brocton High School graduate, Hank attended Fredonia State University College and various technical schools, including the Broadcast Engineering Academy. He had been a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II (1944-1946), serving as a tailgunner on a B29. He was the recipient of the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. In his younger years, Hank made a living as an automobile salesman and insurance agent. At one time, he worked as a driver for Adventure Limousine and also dabbled in the real estate business as a landlord. He owned and operated the WBUZ-AM radio station in Fredonia for 22 years, becoming well-known throughout the community as on-air personality "Hammerin' Hank." Three times a week for 20 years, he served as the moderator for his popular call-in show, "What's Your Opinion?" Community-minded, Hank served for four years, two years as chairman, on former Dunkirk Mayor Gilbert Snyder's Citizens Advisory Board. He was elected to a five-year term on the Dunkirk School Board in 1990, and in 1992 became the board's vice president. He was elected vice president of the group, Taxpayers, Residents Against Crazy Spending and also made an unsuccessful bid to become mayor of the city of Dunkirk. His memberships, present and former, included Blessed Mary Angela R.C. Parish Church of St. Hedwig, Knights of Columbus, Northern Chautauqua Club Associates, First Ward Falcon Club, Dunkirk American Legion Post 62, Fourth Ward Falcon Club, John T. Murray VFW Post 1017, Moniuszko Club, Dunkirk Moose Club, Fredonia Chamber of Commerce, Northern Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce and the Fredonia Kiwanis Club. Surviving are his children, Bruce Serafin, Barry (Penny) Rondinella and Bobby Rondinella, all of California, and Chris (Miranda) Robinson of Dunkirk; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Stanley (Winnie) Serafin of Phoenix, Ariz., and Edward Serafin of Virginia; and a sister, Helen (Mike) Skrzypczak of Erie, Pa. Many nieces and nephews also survive. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Eddie Robinson; three brothers, Chester, John Sr. and Julian Serafin; and a sister, Alfreda Waclawski. Relatives and friends are welcome to call at the R. Mackowiak Funeral Home Inc., 56 East Doughty Street in Dunkirk on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday morning at 11 o'clock in BMA Parish Church of St. Hedwig. Interment in St. Hedwig's Cemetery. Donations in Hank's memory to the American Lung Cancer Association would be greatly appreciated by the family.

Service:

Saturday, May 9, 2015 11:00AM

BMA Parish Church of St. Hedwig Doughty Street, Dunkirk, New York



Visitation:

Friday, May 8, 2015 2:00PM to 4:ooPM and 7:00PM to 9:00PM

R. Mackowiak Funeral Home, Inc. 56 East Doughty Street, Dunkirk, New York