Michael Vincent Serio
In Remembrance of a True Friend
Michael Vincent Serio
January 17, 1977-January 24, 2009
To the entire Santa Barbara community,
Words cannot express the gratitude that all of us in Chicago feel that our, son, brother, grandson, uncle had the opportunity to be a part of the Santa Barbara community.
From the first time any of us ever saw Santa Barbara we knew why Michael thought it was the most beautiful place he had ever been and moved out here in just a year after his first visit. But the beauty of your community runs much deeper than that, which is why he stayed there for over ten years. Your warmth, prayers, kind words, great memories have helped all of us in Chicago through a very difficult time. The memorial at SOhO on Jan. 26th was so amazing and the fact we could watch and share it will forever warm our hearts. His friends, his co-workers, his clients were all such a very special part of his life that you let us share. Thank you for loving Michael, he certainly loved all of you.
The family of Michael Vincent Serio
It is with great sadness and the deepest of sorrows that we all must say good-bye to our dear friend Michael Serio.
He was such a kind, gentle and caring individual who so many were blessed to have known.
It is only through the anguish of his tragic loss that I have come to the very simple understanding that no one is guaranteed time on this earth. We should all love the ones around us with Michael’s kindness and compassion everyday as there is just no guarantee of a tomorrow.
Through so many of these heart-breaking tears I have come to understand and appreciate the idea that the values of the world we inhabit and the people we surround ourselves with have such an incredible and profound effect on who we are. I take solace in the fact that the fond memories of my dear friend Mikey and all of our “adventures” will live on forever through my future actions and attitudes towards others.
It is with my deepest sincerity that I can honestly say that through Michael’s life and the true friendship that he always gave to me I have learned to be a kinder, more generous and more gentle human being.
His so very genuine friendship, his very mischievous smile and his wonderful and unique laughter was such a beautiful gift to us all.
I am really going to miss my little-buddy Michael…
Michael Serio and I had one of the greatest days out there on the water – ever- It was so much fun and so much better simply because my friend Mike was there to bring the smiles. I am really missing him right now but I do find some solace in knowing how much fun he always had.
On this particular day Mike and I left the sailboat anchored off Butterfly Beach in the inflatable dinghy for the shoreline because Michael wanted to go on an “adventure” We went on so many over the past 10 years together…. So many great times we have shared.
It is not my first day out on the water and I know that it is nearly impossible to surf the face of a 6 foot high fast moving wave in a 9 foot long rigid-hulled inflatable dinghy. Mike thought for some reason that it would be “no problem” As we made the first pass on a smaller wave Michael and I both laughed at how ridiculous it really was to attempt a beach landing as we just barely made it over the lip of that first wave. As we steered back towards the anchored sailboat Michael said “come on we can make it!” (with a crooked smile and a half chuckle)
As the biggest wave of the day suddenly approached we were saying, “This is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy” in unison like Chevy Chase from the movie Family Vacation. Well, we held on as long as we could but the Pacific Ocean is a powerful thing and that little boat just could not handle it…. Even with Michael crouched way over the front of the boat (screaming) to keep the nose down – We simply picked up too much speed way too fast (just like you think might happen). We were both thrown clear of the boat and engine when it went kart-wheeling end-over-end onto the crowded Butterfly Beach in front of the Biltmore.
Mikey always wanted to go to the beach even if it was 8 in the morning…. My little buddy loved the beach.
As I flipped the half-loaded boat over in the panic of the moment I looked back into the breaking waves where I saw Mike in the surf with both hands raised high in the air he simply proclaimed, “DUDE!!!”
We laughed and laughed loudly and uncontrollably as we rowed the now crippled dinghy back to the sailboat -stopping twice to catch our breath and deliver solid high 5’s to each other. I made Mikey row us back because it this whole thing was his silly idea.
We sailed back that night right as the sun was setting followed all the way to the harbor by dolphins. Mikey really liked dolphins but for some reason was really scared of Koala bears?
As we drove back from a friend’s house later that evening listening to Mike’s great music on the highway – we were so worn out from being in the sun all day – Michael smirked, let out a little chuckle and said, “Did you see that dinghy flip earlier???”
We laughed and laughed for the rest of the way home…As I got out of his car he looked at me in the eyes and shook my hand firmly and said how much fun he had that weekend.
And so it was with my best friend Mikey Seri –eri –o. I will miss him terribly. He brought so much happiness and joy into my life.
Very Sincerely Yours,
Erik Hoegh-Guldberg
P.S. I think I will rename the dinghy “S.S. Serio”
It shall be painted on the back in the Chicago BEARS orange and blue.
Michael, I will always see you in every sunrise and sunset, hear you in the crash of every wave. Thank you for being a joyous, loving, beautiful friend. I love you, Kate
Dear Michael,
I will miss your laugh and the smirk you always had when something touched your heart. The softball games we played at the park on Thursday night. The clasp of your hands when something excited you, like “Mr. Burns” from the Simpsons. But, most of all Michael thank you for letting me be part of your life. I will always treasure the times I had with you and your friends. Your pal, Mateo Limon
MVS,
I will miss your beautiful blue eyes, your quiet laugh and they way you always had one hand in your pocket when you walked down the street. I will miss telling you to move your car and wear sun screen when the top was down. Nothing like having your boss constantly on your case, but I loved you dearly and wanted only good things for you. So Mike, move your car and wear sun screen! I love you and will always remember and cherish you…every day. PMS
Always optimistic, great for a spontaneous road trip, and ready for an afternoon at Butterfly Beach, Michael, you made Santa Barbara an idyllic place to live.
I miss you, Serio. I miss your smile and your laugh, and your willingness to just let go of the little things. We spoke at length the night you passed away, and I was so happy to hear that you were happy in life. This conversation was the best goodbye I could hope for.
With love,
Your brother and friend,
Laurent
To my silver fox –
I can’t even begin to express what a blessing you were in my life. I loved our salon time, our Joyce time, and the time we spent driving in my car. But most of all I loved the person I was when you were around. You brightened my life like purple shampoo brightened your silver hair. I will miss you forever. I love you!
Sarah J.
“If you kill all your demons you might lose your angels” Michael Serio
Mike was a close friend to our son, Rob, and to all of us – he was a
part of our family.
He was also very loved by our extended SOhO family.
His kind eyes, his laughter, his smile, and his warm heart will be so
missed by us all.
We love you Mike.
Gail, Bob, Rob, Michelle, Tyler and Zack Hansen
“Fare the well, fare the well. I love you more than words can tell…see ya’ in about 5 minutes-10 minutes brother”.
Ryan
Winston Churchill said it best:..”We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”. I believe Michael Vincent Serio stayed true to this saying. He was a man that lived life to the fullest & enjoyed every moment of it. His enthusiasm for life was infectious and made every moment spent with him an adventure. Michael was a true friend with a kind soul. I will always love him and carry him in my heart. Thank you, Michael for all the wonderful memories and teaching me to embrace life.
Your friend always,
Pamela Go Cubbies!!!
Mike’s Song-by Phish
Trapped in time and I don’t know what to do
These friends of mine, I can see right through
You don’t gotta tell me how I don’t gotta move
‘Cuz I’m sittin’ back here sharin’ in the groove
Me no want no nice guy (Me no want no nice guy)
I walk through the hallways inside my mind
I chase the backbeat from behind
Big dude in the doorway was blockin’ my way
He reached to grab me and this is what he said
Me no want no nice guy (Me no want no nice guy)
This is the end
My only friend, the end
Indians lying on dawn’s highway bleeding
Ghosts in the young child’s fragile … mind
Aahhhhhhhh!
Careful with that axe, Eugene
Mother Careful with that axe, Eugene
Aahhhhhhhh!!!!!
This song and tons of other music, will always and forever remind me of you, Michael! I love you & miss you my silvery brother. My head is filled with happy memories! Christina
Michael,
You have taught me what life should be…..full of love and laughs. Thank you so much for every smile, I will miss you forever. Hugs and Kisses, Lindsey and Jaden