LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Joseph M. Serafin, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of Joseph M. Serafin, noting the significance
of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, A talented baseball player and gifted athlete, Joseph M.
Serafin led Lafayette High School to the 1964 Cornell Cup, the first
baseball championship for the school in 45 years, and played in the
Baltimore Orioles farm system; and
WHEREAS, His baseball career was cut short when he was drafted into
the United States Army; Joseph M. Serafin served as an infantryman in
Vietnam and received a Bronze Star, Infantry Combat Badge, Air Medal and
Purple Heart during his 16-month tour; and
WHEREAS, Joseph M. Serafin remained an avid sports enthusiast; he
played AAABA baseball with Transit Paving, a popular local baseball
team, as well as in the JFK Football League in the 1980s, where he once
scored a touchdown while running backwards; and
WHEREAS, A member of the Western New York Baseball Hall of Fame,
Joseph M. Serafin was honored in 2004, when his name was placed on the
Lafayette High School Wall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, In his teens and early 20s, Joseph M. Serafin worked for THE
BUFFALO EVENING NEWS delivering ads; he later became a bus driver for
the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority; and
WHEREAS, Joseph M. Serafin is survived by his wife of 35 years, the
former Christine Borowiak; a daughter, Sara; a sister, Maryann Andrze-
jak; and a brother, Smitty, all of whom felt privileged to be a part of
his life and rejoiced in his many achievements; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Joseph M. Serafin leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Joseph M. Serafin, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Joseph M. Serafin.