Anthony Louis "Tony" Serena

1941 - 2026

ANTHONY (TONY) LOUIS SERENA, 84, of Babbitt, MN passed away peacefully in his and his wife Sharon's home on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Born September 5, 1941 in Stambaugh, MI to Valentine Louis (Louie) Serena and Angeline Cecelia (Kubarek) Serena. They moved to Babbitt in 1956 where he was in the first graduating class of John F. Kennedy High School, class of 1960.
On November 30, 1962, Tony eloped to marry the love of his life Sharon Lee Evelyn Belt and they made their home in Babbitt where they were graced with 63 years of marriage together. They raised their three children, Lee Anthony, Cathrine Angeline, and Annette Elaine, and were blessed with six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
Immediately after high school, Tony went to work at Reserve Mining Company as a driller and retired as a locomotive mechanic in 1985, followed by jobs at Generation II, Lehman Fabricating, Rigstad Associates, and Kasson Manufacturing. While Reserve was his primary job, Tony was skilled in many areas – television repair (Tony's TV Service), plumbing and heating (MAC's Plumbing and Heating), bowling alley management (Jubilee Lanes), and groundskeeping (Babbitt Golf Course).
While Tony worked hard, he also played hard in all seasons of Minnesota – softball, golf, bowling, snowmobiling, fishing, and hunting. He volunteered in many ways including with the Boy Scouts of America as a troop leader.
Tony belonged to the St. Pius Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Council 3238 and was a proud member of the Fourth Degree, Knights of Columbus Assembly #528.
Cherishing his memory are his wife Sharon; children Lee (Joni) Serena of Sauk Rapids, MN, Cathy (Dan) Stachowski of Sartell, MN, and Annette (Ed) Horvat of Ely, MN; grandchildren Erika (Allan) Lamb, Tyler (Samantha) Serena, Heather (Dave) Marquart, Clay Stachowski, Ernie (Allie) Horvat, and Rick (Shawna) Horvat; great grandchildren Owen and Connor Lamb, Macie Serena, Jake and Isabelle Marquart, Hugo, Otto, and Lincoln Horvat, Olivia and Halle Horvat; brother Dave (Diane) Serena, sisters-in-law JoAnne (Mike) Clemmer and Cindy (Paul) Hellerstedt; godson Bobby Revord; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Evangeline Revord, brother-in-law Robert Revord, brother-in-law Ronnie Belt, and sister-in-law Marla Belt.
A special thank you to the Hospice East Range Team in Virginia for their excellent compassionate, caring support to Tony and his entire family.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 2, 2026 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Argo Cemetery in Babbitt. Arrangements are with the Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.