Semper fi forever

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In 1918, Philadelphia was in the ghastly grip of an influenza epidemic that would go on to claim more lives worldwide than World War I.

Eleven at the time, Alfred DeSerio from the 1500 block of Dickinson street lost his father Alphonse and siblings Louis and Elsie to the deadly virus. Mother Philomena, sisters Ann and Genevieve and brother Charles were spared, though none are living today.

In his 102 years, DeSerio has witnessed and experienced many trials, starting with the deaths of his loved ones, serving in active duty in World War II, as well as the Korean and Vietnam wars, and losing his eyesight in ’91 due to glaucoma.

"He hasn’t had an easy life," Emily Siolek, director of admissions for St. Francis Country House, a Darby nursing home where DeSerio resides, said.

Perhaps not an easy run, but one well-lived and -served.

On his most recent birthday, Nov. 25 to be exact, the nation’s oldest living Marine who is also a South Philly native was honored in the lobby of St. Francis with 40 well-wishers in attendance. Marine Maj. Jeff Kenney, CEO of recruitment for Central and Eastern Pennsylvania, presided over the ceremony attended by Sgt. Maj. Gregory Hall; Staff Sgts. Steven Rosario and Chad Small; Sgt. Jesse Stence; and two representatives from the Marine Corps League.

"There is no such thing as a former Marine," Kenney said at the service. "We are here today to show that the Marines never forget one of their own."

Presented to DeSerio was an American flag flown over the Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington, D.C.; a military Challenge Coin dating back to WWI used as identification for reentry into safe zones for pilots shot down behind enemy lines; a letter from Pennsylvania state Rep. Jack Murtha; a note and signed photograph of Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the US Marine Corps; and a letter from Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia.

After the ceremony, a luncheon was held at St. Francis for the honoree and Marine guests.

"His St. Francis family is very fond of him," Siolek said of DeSerio. "He’s been with us since ’04. He’s very social, he likes to be with people. He’s a gentleman, he treats people with respect, doesn’t expect anything. He’s just a great guy."

Blindness didn’t dampen DeSerio’s spirits that day.

"I just can’t believe it. It is a shock to me. The good Lord helped me get it," he told the Review earlier this week of the honor.

A religious man, DeSerio attends 10:45 a.m. Mass every day at the nursing home then spends his days listening to roommate Jim’s TV inside their room.

"Fox News is good and I enjoy sports," he said.

DeSerio grew up in St. Rita’s Parish and his father owned DeSerio’s Italian Bakery, 13th and Wharton streets, which later relocated to 1814 Dickinson St. When the baker died in ’18, his wife had to sell the business.

Following military enlistment in ’28, basic training took place at the Navy Yard before DeSerio’s assignment to Camp Lejeune, N.C. The soldier’s first of many tours was Tientsin, China, with the 1st Marine Regiment. Thirty of DeSerio’s 42 years being Semper Fi were spent in active duty before retiring in ’70.

In ’52, he married Mary Conway from 27th and Federal streets in Grays Ferry. About to be deployed overseas, the couple married in Baltimore where DeSerio was stationed. His only child, stepdaughter Nancy, died in ’88, four years after her mother passed.

After his military stint, DeSerio worked for PECO as a linesman and later in the maintenance department at Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital in Southwest Philly, from where he retired in ’85.

DeSerio’s St. Francis social worker Brother Bill Rielley facilitated last week’s honor after hearing the resident talk about his military experience. Rielley contacted someone with the Marine Corps in Washington and from there the path was paved to honor the nation’s oldest living Marine, Siolek said, adding, "He was able to receive the accolades he deserves."