Submitted by: Dan Rich

Joseph T. Serge

Dec. 13, 1915 - Nov. 13, 2004

South Bend Tribune 11/16/2004

Joseph T. Serge, 88, formerly of Riverside Drive, South Bend, Indiana, died Saturday, November 13, 2004, in Holy Cross Care and Rehabilitation Center. Mr. Serge was born in Plati, Italy, on December 13, 1915, and immigrated with his family to the United States in 1927, settling in Mishawaka, Indiana.

On February 15, 1941, in St. Adalbert's Catholic Church in South Bend, he married Helen F. Kominowski, who preceded him in death on August 9, 1996. He was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kimberly Serge, and a sister, Mary Procaccino.

He is survived by three sons and a daughter, Thomas E. Serge (Mary) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Joseph R. Serge of Cassopolis, Michigan, and John Dominic Serge of South Bend, Indiana, and Mary Jane Crabill (Warren) of Aurora, Illinois; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; a sister, Rose Sierawski of Lansing, Michigan, and a brother, Patrick Serge (Sharon) of Tucson, Arizona.

Upon his father's death in 1939, Mr. Serge started work at the Studebaker plant as his father's replacement. In 1946 Mr. Serge purchased and operated the City Bar-B-Cue on Main Street in downtown South Bend. In 1962 Mr. Serge opened and operated Joe's House of Spirits on Portage Avenue until 1981 when he sold the business and retired.

Elected to the South Bend City Council representing the First District in 1972, Mr. Serge served on the council for 16 years. His council service included positions as Council President, Vice President and Chairman of various committees. For 12 years he was council representative to the Area Plan Commission of St. Joseph County and was re-appointed to that commission in 1991. Mr. Serge was instrumental in several major changes to the South Bend landscape including the construction of the Century Center and the Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium.

As a true fan of horse racing, Mr. Serge sponsored frequent bus trips to the Chicago race tracks for his patrons and friends. He also was a strong supporter of Notre Dame football, holding season tickets for over 50 years and having many friends among former coaches and players. He is mentioned in Joe Montana's autobiography, Audibles. He was also a member of Holy Cross parish, the Knights of Columbus, the Royal Order of the Moose and the Di Loreto Club.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2004, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana. The Rosary will be said at 5 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, November 18, in Holy Cross Catholic Church. Entombment will take place at Highland Cemetery.