Joseph L. Serafine
Passed Away

We are all saddened by this news.

From: Charles U. Foster [mailto:cufoster@verizon.net] 
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2006 11:14 AM
Subject: Joseph L. Serafine


It is great sadness that I report the passing last evening of our  
very dear friend and colleague Joseph L. Serafine.  Joe served U. S.  
Figure Skating in many capacities for many years selflessly. He loved  
the young skaters and worked hard to make every event a memorable one  
for them. He will be greatly missed by all of us . Please remember  
him with fondness.

At this time funeral arrangements are incomplete. They will be  
published when they are available.
____________________________________________________________

Here are some of the funeral arrangements for Joe.

Wake -  Thursday, March 23  From 4 - 8 pm at Wenban Funeral Home,  
Lake Forest

Funeral -  Friday, March 24 at St. Patrick's Church, Lake Forest.  
They hope that it will be at 10 am, but it hasn't been confirmed yet  
by the church.

Thanks,

Chuck Foster

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U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame Member Joseph Serafine Passes Away
 
Joseph Serafine 
(3/21/06) - It is with great sadness that U.S. Figure Skating announces 

the unexpected passing of U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame member and 

former U.S. Figure Skating Midwestern Vice President Joseph Serafine, 88, 

on Friday, March 17. Serafine served on numerous U.S. Figure Skating 

committees throughout his life, was a member of the Board of Directors, 

and was a national judge, referee and chief ice technician. 

“Joe had a distinguished record of service and commitment to 

U.S. Figure Skating,” said Ron Hershberger, president of U.S. Figure Skating. 

“He made contributions in numerous ways as a 16-year member of the 

Board of Directors, and as a judge, referee and ice technician. 

He was a major contributor to the growth of figure skating in the 

Chicago area. Beyond those activities he was truly a gentleman, a

nd he always placed the best interest of the skaters as his first priority.”

Serafine was elected to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1996. 

He served as a member of the U.S. Figure Skating Board of Directors 

from 1968-1983 and was elected as an honorary member in 1983. 

He was the Midwestern vice president from 1976-1980, a Hall of Fame elector 

from 1979-2005 and chair of the Competitions Committee from 1980-1983. 

He was the president of the Chicago Figure Skating Club and is the 

current president of the DuPage Figure Skating Club.

As a judge, Serafine was first appointed in 1961 and achieved 

national judge status in 1973. He became a national referee in 1974. 

In recent years he served as the chief ice technician at numerous national competitions. 

Serafine was presented the prestigious F. Ritter Shumway Award in 1992 

honoring his dedication and contribution to the world of figure skating. 

In addition, he started the Eileen and Joseph Serafine Academic Scholarship 

through the DuPage Figure Skating Club, offering $1,000 scholarships to 

club athletes to further their collegiate studies.

Serafine is survived by wife Eileen, a U.S. Figure Skating judge; 

daughter Karen, a skating coach; daughter Jan, a judge and current 

chair of the U.S. Figure Skating Memorial Fund Committee; brother Daniel; 

and numerous grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, 

contributions may be made to the U.S. Figure Skating Memorial Fund.