Serafin Alcantara Montalbo
September 03, 1928 - July 03, 2023
Visitation: Sunday from 2-6 PM and Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at DEVLIN Funeral Home, 806 Perry Hwy
Service: Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday at 10 AM at St. John Neumann Church, Regina Coeli Parish
Serafin Alcantara Montalbo (“Afin”), of Mars, PA (formerly of Monroeville), awakened to eternal life on Monday, July 3, 2023. Serafin was born in Batangas City, Philippines on September 3, 1928. He received his medical degree in 1955 from University of Santo Tomas, Manila. In 1957, he met the love of his life, Asuncion (“Siony”) Aspiras Ninobla. Though apart, their love was cultivated over 6 years by love letters, culminating in marriage on September 29, 1964 at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church in Manila. Early on, Afin worked at the Pantangco Clinic and at Batangas Provincial Hospital. He pursued further medical knowledge and experiences abroad including general internship in Lincoln Hospital, Durham, NC; pathology in Lawrence Hospital of Bronxville, NY, and general surgery in St Francis Hospital, NY. Afin, Siony, and their young family immigrated to the US in 1969. He built a career in family practice and emergency medicine in Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Greensburg, Fayette, and Allegheny County areas. He obtained diplomate status from American Academy of Family Physicians in 1988. He was active in various medical organizations such as Philippine American Medical Association of Western PA and Philippine Medical Association of Wisconsin (President, 2003-2004), and University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association of Wisconsin (President 2006-2007)
His joy was his family, relatives, and friends. While establishing his craft and growing his family, Serafin also provided an anchor to relatives and friends, helping them gain their foothold in the US. He and his wife held the education of their children above all else, sacrificing all for their future success. In later years, he adopted a new role, “Lolo”, caring for his grandchildren with selflessness and devotion. He had a talent of playing the piano “by ear”. He loved to play golf with his family. He was a veritable pool shark. He had the gift of gab, able to talk to anyone about anything. He derived great amusement from joking with his grandchildren. His first appearance on TikTok in 2019 gathered over 1.5 million views!
Previously departed loved ones are his loving wife, Asuncion, his brother Galicano Alcantara Montalbo, his parents, Nazario Lontoc Montalbo and Beatriz Alcantara Montalbo. He is survived by his sister Beatriz Montalbo Gonzalez; son, Mario (wife, Marjorie Arca); daughter, Myrna Bella (husband Romeo, Jr.”Jay”); daughter, Melody Wickline (husband, Joseph); daughter, Marlene McEwen (husband, Kris); grandchildren Abigail, Adam, Marissa, Veronica, Angelina, Nicole, Kristopher, Connor, Brandon; and nephew, Edgardo Gonzalez.
The family would like to express gratitude for the care given to our father by the kind staff at The Waters of Wexford and the wonderful people at The Community of Holy Family Manor. In lieu of flowers, we ask that memorial donations be given in Serafin’s honor to “The Community at Holy Family Manor”. Checks may be mailed to the Finance Department, 301 Nazareth Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15229. Venmo: @chfmanor. Paypal: chfmmarketing@gmail.com
Visitation will be held at Devlin Funeral Home (North Hills) on Sunday July 9, 2023 @ 2:00pm-6:00pm and Monday July 10, 2023 @ 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday morning July 11, 2023, 10:00 am at St John Neumann Catholic Church (Regina Coeli Parish), Franklin Park, 2230 Rochester Road, Pittsburgh PA 15237 . The interment will follow at Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery, Monroeville. A reception will follow the burial, location to be announced.
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