SALEM - Mr. John Richard Serafini, Esq., 95 of Prides Crossing and Salem, husband of the late Angelina (Arena) M. Serafini, entered eternal rest Saturday, March 31, 2018 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers surrounded by his family. Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Enrico and Galdina (Gentile) Serafini. He was raised and educated in Salem and was a graduate of Salem High School, Class of 1940. He continued his education at Boston College, but the war interrupted his studies and the Navy sent him to Officer Candidate School at Tufts University and then to Gunnery School at Columbia.

An honorably discharged veteran, John proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy, as a Lieutenant JG during WWII, serving on the U.S.S. Broadwater, receiving several awards and ribbons for his dedicated service.

He continued his studies at Boston College, following the war, graduating in 1946 and then at Boston College, School of Law, graduating in 1949 receiving his Juris Doctor.

1949 was a big year for John, he got married, completed law school and passed the bar exam. He began his professional career with the law firm of Hill and Blake of Salem. In 1956 he struck out on his own and formed John R. Serafini, Esq. in Salem, which over time grew to Serafini, Serafini, Darling and Correnti, Attorneys at Law, one of the most trusted law offices in Salem and on the North Shore.

Through his profession and with his wisdom, Attorney Serafini helped create the City of Salem landscape as we now know it today. He was instrumental in the development of Salem in many realms, especially through real estate, business and housing developments. Through his great foresight and love of the City of Salem, John always kept both the private and public sectors in mind as the city grew. He was greatly respected for his wisdom, thoughtfulness, his ability to articulate and examine each situation from all viewpoints and his gentlemanly nature. No matter the project, he was working on, he ensured it was consistent with the City's welfare. Many of the well-known projects that have redefined the Salem landscape include; the Peabody Essex Museum, major improvements to the North Shore Medical Center, rebuilding the Salem Armory, redeveloping the former Parker Brothers site, and major new buildings on Highland Avenue today, among many others. His vision for the city was clear and his achievements benefited all. He was a true pillar of the City of Salem.

Active in civic and professional circles, he donated much of his free to time to Salem institutions. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Salem, the Salem Rotary Club. He was a member of the former St. Mary's Italian Church of Salem and currently a communicant of St. Margaret's Church in Beverly Farms. He was an overseer of the Peabody Essex Museum and served on the Board of Directors of North Shore Medical Center for 47 years and was its clerk during the period of the merger with Partners Healthcare. He was co-chair of fund raising for the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers and was on the Board of Directors of Empire Clothing and Shawmut Merchants Bank.

A local political stalwart, John was elected to the Salem City Council in 1951, where he served for 10 years including two as president. He was a political advisor to many local politicians on the local and state level, as many sought his keen advice.

He had a deep love of family and spent time with his beloved wife Ann, traveling across the world and wintering in Naples, Florida. He was a voracious reader, a passionate film connoisseur and current events and political analyst. Yet above all else his deepest love was always his family.

John lived an extraordinary life, of business success, community development, charitable giving and acclaim, yet his greatest and most proud achievement was his family. He was a true gentleman and has left a legacy that will live on well beyond his years.

John is survived by his daughters, Linda Serafini and her wife Cathy Welsh of Acton, Gayle Richmond and her husband William of Pawley's Island, SC, his sons, John R. Serafini Jr. and his wife Stefanie of Hamilton and Paul Serafini and his wife Teri of Concord, his eleven grandchildren, John Read, Peter, Paula, Andrea, Will, Joshua, John Harrison, Rachel, Taylor, Angelina and Julianne and his four great-grandchildren, Elise, Olivia, Avery and Theo. John also leaves his dear friend and companion of many years, Alice Murphy, of Beverly. He was the brother of the late Theodora Currier.

ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral will be held from The O'Donnell Funeral Home, 46 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) Salem on Saturday April, 7th at 9:30 A.M. followed by his funeral Mass in St. Margaret's Church, 672 Hale St. Beverly at 10:30 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem. Visiting hours Friday, April 6th from 4 to 7 P.M. Expressions of sympathy may be made in John's memory to Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St., Danvers, MA 01923 or to Mass. General/North Shore Cancer Center, 102 Endicott St., Danvers, MA 01923. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com .