Obituaries

Louis Leonard Serpa passed away on November 15 at Windsor Park Care Center where he was residing. The family is most appreciative of his care from the personnel and from his friends, neighbors and caregivers.

Louie was born on March 24, 1917 in Hayward, CA on a ranch in the Hayward Highlands to Maria and Joseph Serpa. He was the 7th child of 9 children and is predeceased by all of them. His wife, Bernice, predeceased him after 66 years of marriage. He is survived by several nieces (Judy Asher, Donna Callegari, Kathy Gordon, Pat Kennedy and Betty Pacheco), and nephews (Ernie Silva, Vernon Serpa and David Serpa) and his great nieces and nephews.

Louie attended school in Fairview, Bret Hart and graduated from Hayward High with the Class of 1936.

He was most proud of having served in the Army in World War II. He was an MP and part of the D-Day Normandy landing on Omaha Beach. He remembered clearly all of the events of his military experience and attended most of the anniversaries of D-Day in France. To this day, he receives an annual thank you from the Villagers in a small town in France thanking him for helping them survive against the Nazi's.

Louie worked as a machinist and a tool and dye maker for Fridens and later for Lockheed Martin. He spent a year in Venezuela helping set up the machinery for making Mercedes.

His favorite hobby was traveling and he visited every continent in the world and most of the countries. His hat collection of 85 hats is proof of his traveling passion.

He was a member of SIRS and the Native Sons of the Golden West. He belonged to a number of Portuguese societies and he faithfully attended the Holy Ghost Festas.

Viewing will be held from 10-11am on Thursday, November 19 at Fremont Chapel of the Roses, 1940 Peralta Blvd., Fremont, CA. Funeral Mass will follow at 11:30am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 37588 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA. Burial at Holy Sepulchre cemetery in Hayward to follow.

Contributions may be made in memory of Louie to your favorite charity or Paralyzed Veterans of America.