Newark Obituary: Emilio Serio, Local Artist

Newark resident Emilio Antonio Serio passed away on Nov. 27.

He was 85-years-old.

The following obituary comes courtesy of Buyus Funeral Home:

“Emilio Antonio Serio, 85, passed away peacefully, at his home on Friday, November 27, 2015 with his family by his side.

“He was born in the Ironbound Section of Newark.

“Son of the late Louis and Angelina (nee Cammaraso)Serio; loving brother of Angie Sukakis, Sue Jannuzzi and the late Anna Abood, Nick and Harry Serio, Marie Quinn, Loius, Frank and John Serio; also survived by many dear nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

“When Emilio was born, there was never any doubt that he would become an artist. His talent was obvious at an early age. As a pre-schooler, he drew with crayons on the sidewalks of his neighborhood in the Ironbound. His elementary school teachers noted his constant drawing in classes and invited him to attend their own private after school art classes to encourage his artistic development.

“After graduating as valedictorian from Newark’s Arts High School, he studied at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art. His higher aspirations of becoming an artist was snagged his Uncle Sam at the outbreak of the Korean Conflict. He was drafted, trained as a medic, and sent to France. No better place for him as he slipped into Paris on weekends taking in museums and galleries. His army superior officers diverted his medical duties and assigned him to paint mess hall murals, church windows, and portraits of themselves and families.

“Following his discharge from the army, Emilio returned to art school in Newark once again to continue his interrupted art programs. moved to New York City to work as a commercial artist and to further his studies at the Art Students League and at the National Academy of Fine Arts. His works were brought to the attention of Willard Cummings, the acclaimed American painter and founder of the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Cummings became not only his mentor, but friend and an important force in persuading him to break with commercial art and to pursue a career as a painter.

“As a family minded person, in 1960 Emilio headed to Italy to visit the relatives left behind when they immigrated to the United States in 1914. He was captivated by the warmth, antique quality, and artistic heritage of the nation. It was during this decade that he had divided his time between living in New York and Florence, Italy. The year 1970 became a turning point in his life.

“He returned to Newark, purchased a dilapidated old, wooden framed church which had originally been built as a school house in 1879. Emilio spent two years converting the almost-abandoned church into his home, studio and gallery, doing most of the work himself. The Newark Preservation and Landmarks Committee acknowledged the transformation of the structure with its Recognition Award for Outstanding Efforts Toward the Preservation of a Historic Landmark in the City of Newark.

“In 1997, Emilio began the long process of cataloging and digitizing his work. He has over 800 of his paintings and drawings in a computer database. It is amazing that this technology allowed him to review over 40 years of his work at one time. Paintings that were long forgotten about can now be conveniently viewed.”