Rodolfo Serino

Jesús Rodolfo “Rudy” Serino, 73, of Phoenix, passed away on January 29, 2021. Rudy was born August 8, 1947 in Nogales, Arizona to Antonio and Consuelo Serino. He was the fourth of six children (3 boys; 3 girls) and in his youth he had big dreams of becoming a bullfighter. He was a smart and athletic teen, excelling in both football and baseball. After several unsuccessful attempts to join the military, he moved from Nogales to Phoenix the day after he graduated from high school, where he began a long, successful career in government service. Government service offered Rudy more than just a successful career though, and a few years in, he met a beautiful Hispanic girl named Ruthie who would become his wife of 49 years. Rudy was a devoted husband and a fun dad. He loved animals and brought home many strays who became family. Rudy owned horses and was an avid team roper for many years. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, and watching the University of Arizona play. He was a sole-provider, and as busy as he was at work, he always made sure to take his family on an annual family vacation to California. Rudy had a successful 33-year career in state and county government, holding several prominent positions over the years. He served as Assistant Director for the Arizona Department of Revenue, Deputy Director of the Arizona Department of Administration, and was hand-picked by the Governor as Director of the Arizona Department of Administration. His hard work paid off and he was able to retire at age 50, on September 19, 1997. Family always came first for Rudy, so he planned his retirement to give him the opportunity to help care for his ailing parents who moved to Phoenix from Nogales. During his retirement he worked for a short time for the County Livestock Auction which he enjoyed very much. His past community activities included a charter membership with the Paradise Valley Sheriff’s Posse, past president of the Mexican-American Golf Association, a former 4-H leader, and Little League coach. In retirement, the California vacations were replaced with much more frequent family trips to Las Vegas. He became an avid poker player and he and his father, Tony, would take weekend poker trips. He also loved playing slots and was often a winner, not only in Las Vegas but at the Arizona Casinos as well. After his parents passed and his children grew up, he would take his grandchildren to Vegas, where days might be spent at the pool or visiting Shark Reef. His retirement days also included helping care for his grandchildren who he picked up from school almost every day. He was also an avid golfer and played often with his brother Marco and longtime friends. He loved to shop and cook and carried on his mother’s tradition of making Christmas tamales and menudo for New Years. He was a great cook! Rudy was not only a great husband, father, and tata - he was a fantastic friend. He quite literally made friends everywhere he went! He was still close with friends from his childhood and his working days. He was friends with his neighbors, his barber, and even had friends at the store. He was thoughtful, loyal, and always there when you needed him most. He was generous to a fault. Rudy will be deeply missed by everyone he touched. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ruth, children Renée (Donnie) Suaava, Rudy Jr. (Tina) Serino, Tony Serino (Tammie Gallegos), and Christina Serino; grandchildren Savannah & Isaac Suaava and Isabella, Gianna, & Luciano Serino; brothers Marco (Nancy) Serino and Richard Serino; sisters Lucy (John) Neumann, Connie Serino, and Gloria Serino (Richard Holleran) and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Tony and Consuelo Serino. Services will be held Monday, February 8, 2021 at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center. For those of you who cannot attend, please contact the family for information on how to livestream the service.