Lee S. Serfas, M.D., 93, passed away Sunday, January 13, 2019 at Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth, PA. Born Nov. 10, 1925 in Saylorsburg, PA he was the son of the late Wilbur J. and Esther (Shupp) Serfas. He was the loving, devoted husband of Geraldine (Hill) Serfas who passed away in 2015. They were married in 1948 and shared 66 years together. Gerry was truly the love of his life. He graduated from Jefferson University, Philadelphia in 1948 and proudly served as a Surgeon in the US Army for 20 years during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He retired from the Army as a full Colonel in 1968. Lee and Gerry were very proud of their service in the Army and lived in many cities around the US and the world.
Lee then returned to Easton where he was Chief of Surgery and Director of Surgical Residency Training at Easton Hospital. He took great pride in the program and trained many of the surgeons currently practicing in the Lehigh Valley before he retired in 1986. He was a member of the American College of Surgery, the PA Medical Society, the American Medical Association, a Diplomat for the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, the American Legion-Brown and Lynch Post #9 and the Kiwanis Club of Palmer Township.
Lee loved spending time with his family especially fishing and then telling fish stories. He was an Olympic Caliber skeet shooter and loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. One of his favorite pastimes was watching his dogs point a pheasant. Lee was a charming gentleman with a wonderful sense of humor and very quick wit. He loved to laugh, especially at himself, and he could tease, but never out of malice. Loved dearly by everyone with whom he came in contact, he will be greatly missed by his family and his friends.
Lee is survived by his children: Robert Serfas and his wife Monica of Allentown, PA, David Serfas and his wife Laurie of Fairview, NC, Linda Hewlings and her husband Jim of Kresgeville, PA; five grandchildren: Kelly Bower and her husband Chad of Cody, WY, JD Serfas and his wife Katie of Durham, NC, Adam Serfas and his wife Sweta of Asheville, NC, Brian Hewlings of Cresco, PA, Kate Hewlings of Lincoln, NE; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services are 11 AM Wednesday (Jan. 16) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with visitation 10 to 11 AM in the funeral home. Interment will be private in Gilbert Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kiwanis Foundation of Palmer Township, P.O. Box 3165, Palmer, PA 18043. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Denise Ouellette
January 14, 2019 at 12:18 pm
I was a general surgery resident from 1984 to 1989 at Easton Hospital. I therefore had the honor of being one of Dr Serfas’ resident and the second woman to graduate from Surgery at Easton Hospital. My memories of Dr Serfas are that of a gentle giant ( as I am only 5’0”), he was always a gentleman and reassuring like a father to me. He had a big positive impact on me. I then trained in Thoracic Surgery and am currently practicing in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
I came back for a graduate reunion to Easton several years ago and had the chance to see him again then.
I will always keep found memories of him. Thank you for all you gave us.
Denise Ouellette
Lauraj
January 16, 2019 at 8:09 am
I am so sorry for your loss please accept my sincere condolences. May the God of all comfort sustain you as you await the promises found at John 5:28,29 and Rev 21:4 where God promises to do away with all the things that cause us suffering and pain including death here on the earth forever. It is my sincere hope that these thoughts comfort your family at this time.
Lauraj