Robert Jay Serata

Robert “Bob” Serata – 05.10.1950 ~ 08.26.2024

A non-traditional obituary for a non- traditional guy

It was a dark and stormy night when Bob gave up the fight. Not really, it was just a mundane Monday afternoon, August 26, 2024, in his own home the way he wanted it. During his last weeks, prayers were answered. He was surrounded by love from family and friends. He held a baby, drank whiskey, played on a scooter in Walmart, and made everyone, including all of his medical staff, laugh through it all. Going from fiery hot pepper sauce to cottage cheese wasn’t much fun, but he did it.

He outlined his own medical path, trying MD Anderson in Texas, chemo, immunotherapy, and transfusions. He didn’t want to die so he fought. Cancer steals time, energy, and mobility, but not love. In fact, it grows love. He saw it all around him, coming from family, strangers, healthcare workers, dogs, and friends.

Throughout his 72 years, Bob lived from inner city Philadelphia to redwood mountains of California to the Gulf Stream waters of the Florida Keys to coastal Mississippi. He spent his career in the Silicon Valley in advertising with accounts like Intel, Seiko, Apple, Altera, and Teleflora. He sold jokes to Joan Rivers. Upon moving to the Florida Keys, he wrote/represented FDOT, the Florida Keys News Bureau, and National Wildlife Federation. His side gig as an officiant at weddings started as a onetime event, but morphed into a niche he filled by writing personalized vows for couples to express those same promises Bob made and kept in his own 40 year marriage, adding wit, wisdom, and advice to many couples’ special days. Many of his clients are still his friends.

He golfed some of the best courses, became a dive master and boat captain, dived the world’s seas on Japanese marus, snorkeled with whale sharks in Mozambique, kissed a sealion, hugged a sloth, grew an abundance of basil in Bob’s Pot Farm for a catholic church, collected thorns in his feet in Zimbabwe, bungee jumped in Costa Rica, and served the best bourbons around. Bob was a bartender extraordinaire and offered his expertise to many with Aviations, Happys, and French 75’s. He made the girls swoon with his purple beard and hair at the annual Wisteria Party.

Charm, wit, and intelligence made him a success in most endeavors. He was a wise-ass so it got him in trouble a few times, but it served him well in his last big fight. The nurses loved him!

Bob will be celebrated in fun and sweet memories by those who knew him well: his “happy life, happy wife” Belinda of 40 + years, his son Nathan, his brothers-in-law and their families: Bruce Smith (wife Char and daughter Maddie), Bob Smith (wife Barbara, daughters Rachel and Kathlyn), Byron Smith (wife Tricia, children Jessica, Cahill, Camden, Warren), their wives and the next generations, and an eclectic contingent of friends who are family, cousins, and his dogs, Happy and Tomey.

Bob is pre-deceased by his parents, Ethel and Gordon “Buzz” Serata, and his sister Joan. 

Bob did not want a funeral, but he did want to celebrate with so many who enriched his life. Stay tuned for a surprise in the mail.

Bob is at peace now. He made the world sweeter and more fun while he was in it. Raise a toast: Good-bye, old friend, until we see you again. To Bob: L’Chaim.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd, in West Jackson County is proudly serving the Serata family. Please share memories, condolence and photos at www.riemannfamily.com.