Carlos Manuel Sera

Carlos Manuel Sera de Casanova died peacefully at his home on Sunday, March 11, 2018.  He was born on May 16, 1919, in Holguin, Cuba.  He immigrated to the U.S. in 1940 looking for adventure, new opportunities and most of all, to become an American.  He served in the Army Air Corp in the European Theater of operations during WWII.

After the War, he returned safely to Washington, DC and met, courted and married his lovely sweetheart, Berta Ramona (Mona) Fernandez.  She was also from Holguin and just happened to be visiting Washington.  She was the daughter of Diego Fernandez, a formidable man who had served with distinction during the Cuban war of independence, known here as the Spanish American war.  Carlos showed great personal courage in marrying, without first getting permission, Diego's favorite daughter and then coming back to Cuba to present himself and his new wife to his impressive father-in-law.

Once Castro took over Cuba, Carlos and Berta dedicated countless hours and funds assisting Cuban refugees in acquiring visas, shelter and jobs.  He also consistently contributed to numerous charities benefiting Native Americans, Veterans, and many others.

Carlos always believed that caring for his family was his most important mission in life.  He is survived by his children, Nancy, Arthur (Cornelia), Albert and Alejandro (Eve) and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517 or Friends of the National World War II Memorial, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Suite 316, Washington, DC 20003.

Services will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church 4101 Norbeck Rd. Rockville, MD on Friday, March 16th at 11:00 AM.  Internment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery 3809 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD and a meal of mercy will be held at 1:00 PM at Glen View Mansion at Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmund Dr. Rockville, MD.  

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