John Serino

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John L. Serino. He was 84 and from Albuquerque, New Mexico. John passed peacefully at home. He grew up in Albuquerque, in the neighborhood of Martineztown and graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1962. John Proudly served in the United States Coast Guard. He was hired with the Albuquerque Fire Department on June 1, 1971, until his retirement on June 27, 1991 and after retirement, John was an original AFDRA Honor Guard Member.

He was an avid artist and did tin smithing, woodworking, carving, and leatherwork. He was on the AFD softball team and played in many tournaments, traveling to the Republic of Cuba. He collected a variety of firefighter memorabilia. John was soft spoken, disciplined, dedicated and a man of high integrity. He was a great dancer, a sharp dresser, and taught us all. 

John was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Pauline Serino, eldest sister Bennie Ann Ortiz, brother Jeff Serino, his first born son John Michael Serino, daughter Deanna Serino Stiff, nephew Edward J. Garcia, niece Debbie Ortiz and great nieces Candice Montoya Alvarado and Christina Garcia. 

John is survived by his partner Marcella Sandoval, brother Leonard Serino, his sisters Lorraine K. Garcia and Christine "Bean" Serino, his two daughters Michele Lacarrubba and Antoinette Serino. He is also survived by 5 nieces Tina Shannon, Pamela Martinez and children, Patricia Sena and children, Paula Narvaez, and Cynthia Lucero and children, his goddaughter and niece, Vanessa Montoya, nephews Gabriel Montoya, wife Christina and children and Andrew Montoya, wife Desiree and children and Marcella's daughter, Francella Valdez and her children and grandchildren, and previous wife Mary "Carrie" Saavedra, and grandsons Adrian Stiff and wife Christina, and Michael Gutierrez. John is also survived by many friends and cousins. 

Many thanks and gratitude to his 4 caretakers with a special salute to "Deb" and to the AFD brotherhood who helped support John's values and needs. 

A Rosary will be recited on March 9, 2026, at St. Charles Borromeo Church, located at 1818 Coal Place SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 at 10:00 am, followed by Mass at 10:30 am. Burial is pending.