Manuel Serrano, 98, of West Hartford, passed away on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.

Manuel was born on April 22, 1925, in Acushnet, MA, to Manuel C. Serrano, a watchmaker, and Emilia Serrano (nee de Conceição). As a result of his father’s untimely death in 1926, Manuel and his siblings moved to their parents’ home country, Portugal, to be raised by family.

In Portugal, Manuel was taken out of school at a very young age to work in his family’s fields. He and his brother Jose then learned the art of carpentry, literally from the ground up as they would go into the forests to pick the best and straightest trees that, through their skill and mastery, would become fine furniture and cabinetry.

Also in Portugal, Manuel became close friends with Jorge and Joao Rosa and their sister, Maria de Lourdes Rosa. He served in the Portuguese Army with Jorge. His friendship with Lourdes blossomed into romance and they wed.

Manuel and Lourdes moved to Hartford in 1960 with their two young sons, Luis and John. Manuel worked for many years as a finish carpenter with the firm of Ouellette and Devins of West Hartford. His brother Jose, who too emigrated from Portugal, also joined the firm and their masterwork can be seen in the homes of many of Greater Hartford’s finest residences.

Manuel was a kind, quiet and joyful man who was generous with his time and talents. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Hartford, where he and his brother-in-law, Jose Santos, dedicated hours of their time creating woodwork for the church interior and making repairs and improvements. Manuel fashioned the pedestal for the statue of Our Lady of Fatima that can be seen in the Church.

Manuel created many lovely pieces of furniture for family and friends that are treasured as heirlooms. From his hands flowed beautiful objects, from his heart humbleness and generosity.

Manuel is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Maria de Lourdes Serrano, whom he married in Porto de Mos, Portugal, in 1952, and by his sons, Luis M. Serrano of West Hartford, John Serrano and his wife, Nancy Smeeth, of Wethersfield, and Gabriel R. Serrano of West Hartford and Gabriel’s longtime girlfriend, Luisa Monteiro, of Wallingford. Manuel is also survived by his three grandchildren, Andrew Serrano and his wife, Colette Serrano, of Madison, Benjamin Serrano and his wife Julianne Serrano, of Rocky Hill, and Julian Serrano of Wethersfield, and by his great-granddaughters, Mariel Marie Serrano and Audrey Lourdes Serrano, of Madison.

Manuel’s siblings, Jose Serrano, Zulmira Santos, and Clarice Beato, predeceased him. He is survived by his brother, Joseph Luiz, of Wethersfield.

Manuel loved to laugh. He adored watching The Three Stooges, Laurel & Hardy, and Jerry Lewis.  He also loved supporting and watching his favorite soccer team, Sporting Clube de Portugal, rooting for Portugal’s National Soccer team, and watching Whalers and Bruins hockey games.  At family birthday gatherings in local Portuguese restaurants, he would turn table napkins into bunnies to the amusement of his family.

Manuel was devoted to his family and his faith. He will be deeply missed.

Calling hours will be Monday, January 29, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, followed by an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Hartford, and then a procession to his final resting place in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in his name to Our Lady of Fatima Church, 50 Kane Street, Hartford, CT 06106. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com

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