Raymond John Joseph Serafin
July 15, 1936-Aug. 11, 2025
Manteca, California
Submitted by Michael Serafin

We said goodbye to our beloved Raymond John Joseph Serafin on 8/11/25 at 1:30am in Manteca, Ca. He was 89 years old.

His was truly “A life well lived”!

Ray was born 7/15/36 and raised in Kansas City, Kansas. He was continually active in the Polish Catholic church serving as an altar boy at St. Joseph’s where he also went to school. After earning his A.A. at Donelly College in Kansas, he made his way to California during a peacetime stint in the Army. While stationed in Alameda, Ray met and married the love of his life, Dorothy Ann Breves. They were happily married for 59 years until Dottie’s passing in 2019.

Raymond was a beloved father to Daughters Leeann (Passed 2022) and Deanni. Sons Jon and Michael. Son-in-law Robert. Daughter-in-law Marnie. And Grandfather to Scott, Kevin, Rachelle and Charlotte.

After his military service, Ray chose to become a chiropractor and went to school at the Cleaveland school of Chiropractic in Kansas City, Missouri. Following graduation, Ray and Dottie chose to move back to the Bay Area and started his practice as the first chiropractor in Pleasanton, Ca. in 1964. Helping heal his community through Chiropractic was his true passion in life.

As a charter member of the Pleasanton Rotary club, and former club president, Ray felt Rotary was a big part of his success in Pleasanton and enjoyed giving back to his community through Rotary’s many programs including handing out scholarships for Pleasanton high school students.

Outside of work and community, Ray loved tinkering on his house boats and spending time with family and friends fishing, exploring the lake and relaxing. It was his happy place, and our family’s home away from home. Ray and Dottie also shared many adventures travelling throughout North America in their RV.

Those who knew Ray say he always had a positive outlook on life. He would often burst into songs like, “You are my sunshine” or “Oh what a beautiful morning.” He was quick with a bad Polish joke or an “old Polish saying.” He gave great and valued advice yet didn’t always follow his own advice! He was encouraging, fun, open, generous, silly, and easy to talk to. A friend recently mentioned, “Your mom and dad sure put a lot of good into this world.” Another said, “Ray was like the father I did not have and was always open to help and listen when I was in need of guidance.” Our family could not agree more.

He really was one of the good guys. And we were blessed he was our dad.

So, if you knew him, please take a second and smile. Know that he lived a great life.

Good night to our, sweet “Polish Prince.” And flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest. We will see you again.

Tags: veteran, business, public service