Obituary of Chester P. Serden

Chester P. Serden died at Seabrook Village Renaissance Gardens in Tinton Falls on Friday, May 15, 2009. He was 86. Arrangements are by the Bailey Funeral Home, 176 Main St., Peapack, NJ 07977 (908) 234-0590. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Sunday, May 17, 2009, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be at the funeral home on Monday, May 18, 2009, at 12:30 p.m. with Monsignor Kenneth Lasch officiating. Interment will follow the service at Fairview Cemetery, 1100 E. Broad St., Westfield. Born in Elizabeth to the late Stanley and Mary Serden on Sept. 26, 1922, Mr. Serden lived in Linden and Clark for much of his life and also in Mendham and Monmouth Beach before moving to Tinton Falls four years ago. He was also a resident of Sebastian, Fla., and often spent half of the year there and half of the year in New Jersey. A veteran of World War II, he served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1943. He was an assistant manager for Penske Automotive for many years until his retirement in 1987. Mr. Serden was active in local politics for many years. He was an avid softball player, and enjoyed bowling. He was best known by his family for making the best turkey meatballs. Mr. Serden is survived by his wife of 52 years, the former Wanda Kolakowski; his son, Don C. Serden of Monmouth Beach; his daughter, Janina Sebesky and her husband, Don, of Mendham; two granddaughters, Elizabeth and Olivia Sebesky; and many friends and extended family at Seabrook Village Renaissance Gardens in Tinton Falls. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mr. Serden are requested by the family to the Seabrook Village Renaissance Gardens Benevolent Fund, 3000 Essex Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07753.