Oxford Town Clerk Margaret West said that she hit it off immediately with Carl Serus, a former town employee for whom a Town Hall conference room was named Thursday.
West said she and Serus could relate easily to one another as town employees and became fast friends, relying on each other for advice or even just to vent.
One day, she said, a particularly belligerent customer upset her. After the dust settled and she related the story to him, he came by with a present: a wooden sign that read, ​“Sorry, yesterday was the deadline for all complaints.” It’s been in her office since.
The episode was typical of Serus, who would always be ready with a joke despite his deep concern for the town, according to many who remembered him fondly Thursday.
“He worried like the town was his child,” West said. ​“I miss him still, and always will.”
Serus, who died in 2009, worked for the town for 20 years as an administrative assistant and finance director, and his efforts were lauded by a number of speakers.
First Selectman George Temple noted that Serus was ​“taken too soon,” but was glad to have known him.
“You could always depend on Carl to be there to straighten out the new First Selectman, and I’ve seen him do it many times,” Temple said as about 30 people gathered for the ceremony chuckled.
State Sen. Rob Kane, R‑Watertown, said Serus is sorely missed but that his memory will live on with Thursday’s dedication.
Kane then read a citation from the General Assembly recognizing Serus’ memory and gave it to Serus’ wife, Marilyn, who said at the end of the ceremony: ​“We’re proud and pleased that the town is remembering him.”
State Rep. David Labriola, R‑Oxford, also remembered Serus fondly.
“The passion was so clear in Carl because he cared so much for his family, his community, and the people of Oxford,” he said.
Former First Selectwoman Kathy Johnson said that when things would get hectic in Town Hall during her tenure, she could always rely on Serus.
“When I walked in and saw Carl, I knew the day was going to be fine, just fine,” she said. ​“He was just a stabilizing person here.”
Current Selectman Dave McKane said Serus always had a friendly, smiling face and remembered him Thursday for his ​“love for his family, love for his town,” and for the wonderful job he did for the town.
In the announcement for Thursday’s ceremony, town officials included the following biographical information about Serus:
About Carl:
Carl Serus began his employment with the Town of Oxford in December of 1987.
He was originally hired as the town hall administrative assistant and then became the finance director in 1998, where he worked until 2005.
Carl briefly retired from the town of Oxford, but not for long.
He was appointed back as administrative assistant in 2007 where he worked until 2009.
Carl was an extremely dedicated employee who had a tremendous sense of humor and was a numbers man.
He is terribly missed, even to this day, and when one looks back at the town of Oxford, they can’t help but to think of Carl. It is thus appropriate this room be dedicated to him.