Henry Seiichi Serata

1932 - 2022

Henry Seiichi Serata
October 19, 1932 - June 8, 2022
Henry was born in 1932 in San Francisco, where he spent his early years. During World War II, his family was forced to leave their homes and livelihoods behind and report to internment camp at Topaz, Utah. Despite the hardships he endured during this time, Henry returned to San Francisco and attended Commerce High School and Washington High School. He began his higher education at City College and interrupted his schooling to serve his country with the Army in the Korean War. He returned from duty and transferred to San Francisco State to study business administration while working at the United States Postal Service in the evenings. He worked for USPS until his retirement in 1987. Henry was a longtime member of the South San Francisco Elks Lodge (#2091) and attended many functions with his wife Adelina and their family.
According to family legend, when Henry and Adelina met at City College in 1952, she soon let him know that they would be married. Her intuition was correct and their marriage would span 70 cherished years. They were an inseparable duo, raising two daughters and four grandchildren in San Francisco. Henry found his greatest joy in time spent with his family, who knew him as "Papa". Ever supportive and nurturing, he shuttled his children and grandchildren to and from school and activities and was a mainstay at all family gatherings. He was renowned for his mastery of the dance floor and his striking resemblance to the actor Pat Morita, particularly to Morita's famous character Mr. Miyagi.
While family was Henry's greatest joy, traveling with Adelina was a close second. They loved to explore the world, especially via cruise ship, making many close lifelong friendships with fellow travelers and bringing home a treasure trove of souvenirs, photos and happy memories. Henry and Adelina always had their next trip booked even before they returned from their current voyage.
Henry moved on from this world peacefully on June 8, 2022, with Adelina at his side and under the loving care of his children and grandchildren. He will be forever loved and remembered, and will remain as a guardian angel to his beloved wife Adelina; his daughters Teresa Serata (and husband Charly Kagay) and Louise Heckert (and husband Bruce); his grandchildren Linn Kagay, Marie Kagay, Christopher Heckert (and wife Molly) and Michelle Heckert; and his newly-arrived great-granddaughter, Christopher and Molly's daughter Sophie.