Joel Leslie Serkes

Joel Leslie Serkes, born 12/6/1939, son of Goldie (Zucker) and Paul Serkes, passed away on 9/22/2019 in Bluffton, South Carolina. He died peacefully and was surrounded by his loved ones.

Joel was born in New York City and graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School. He matriculated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study mechanical engineering.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree from MIT in 1961. Subsequently, he obtained a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and spent many years working as a mechanical engineer in the defense industry. Joel was also an entrepreneur, owning both a liquor store on Long Island, NY and a commercial sign manufacturing company in Miami, Florida.

Joel met the love of his life, Janet Nina Libros in 1960, and they were married on 8/3/1963.  Joel and Janet raised two daughters in Huntington, New York and later moved to Weston, Florida where they owned and operated Bengis Signs for over fifteen years. They retired to South Carolina in 2008 and purchased a home in a quiet community on a lake. As avid travelers, Joel and Janet explored Europe, Asia, South and Central America, and many states throughout the US. Joel enjoyed boating and loved to spend time on the water in his many boats, The Talismans I, II and III. Passionate about aviation and all matters of engineering, Joel also enjoyed model trains, photography, and built and flew vintage model airplanes.

Joel was a dedicated father, husband and grandfather who will be greatly missed. He is survived by his daughter, Sandra Serkes, son-in-law Aaron Goodisman, their children Alexander and Victoria, as well as his daughter Susan (Serkes) Lotwin, son-in-law Steven Lotwin, and their two children Daniel and Rachel.