Fidel G. Serrano, Jr. was born in Manila, Philippines, to Fidel H. Serrano Sr. and Venecia G. Serrano, and his older brother, Alan. Fidel Jr. left behind many friends and a large extended family of aunties, uncles, and cousins.

Our family immigrated to the United States in 1987, after I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and sought treatment in America so I can be alive for my family. My two sons were in grade school at this time. My fight with cancer proved to be the power of praying devoutly and maintaining faith and hope; I was able to survive. The loss of Fidel Jr. has been excruciatingly painful for me and my family due to the key role he played in helping our family, emotionally and financially, to stay in this country. I came to realize that we have no control over life and our destiny is predetermined by our Lord.

Before moving to Chicago, Fidel Jr. attended an exclusive Catholic boys’ grade school in Manila. He was an active, energetic honor student. Fidel was involved in many sports, and at an early age he developed a passion for playing chess. At his first chess tournament in Manila, he had an opportunity to play the world grand master, Eugene Torre. Fidel Jr. left the tournament with a trophy for his strategic chess plays. Fidel Jr. continued his interest in chess while attending Lane Tech High School and University of Illinois. He won the Chicago Public Schools General Chess Championship in 1989. Fidel Jr.’s love of chess continued throughout his life, and recently he was honored in Schaumburg, Illinois, with a memorial chess tournament, which provides scholarships, prizes, and trophies in his memory.

Fidel Jr. was a member of the United States Air Force and was stationed in New Mexico until his honorable discharge. His other major interest was travel, and he traveled throughout the world on his time off from the military and while employed by the Chicago Fire Department.

Fidel Jr. joined the CFD as a paramedic in March 2005. He became a firefighter in 2010 and was transferred to Truck 56 as a firefighter/paramedic.

We remember Fidel Jr. as a loving, caring son and a kind, compassionate, dependable, humble, and loving brother. We honor his legacy by remembering his talents of hard work, dedication, generosity, determination, courage, and bravery. We love you, we miss you, and you’re always being remembered in our hearts forever by Dad, Mom, and your brother, Alan.

Eternal rest and perpetual light shines upon him.

The Serrano Family would like to thank the Chicago Fire Department, particularly Fire Commissioner José Santiago and First Deputy Charles Stewart III, for their concern and support which helped our family get through this loss of Fidel Jr.