Serafin Richard Machado, age 40, passed away in November 2022 in Willow Creek. An avid outdoorsman, Serafin never missed a chance to be in the woods or on the water. Quick with a laugh or a hug. Never one to shy away from hard work, Serafin was always ready to help his family or friends. He was known by several names: Serafin, Serf, Seraphim, Fini and I’m sure he had other nicknames.

Born in Bishop, California to Tim and Colleen Machado, the youngest of three boys, Serafin spent his first years at the Mt. Whitney fish hatchery, spending as much time as he could outside with his brothers, Tom and Maurice. After a short time in Long Beach, the family moved to Willow Creek where Serafin’s love for the outdoors grew. He knew which pools the steelhead were in, the best trails for the biggest bucks, and where the chanterelle mushrooms grew the best.

After high school graduation, Serafin joined the United States Army and was stationed in Germany with his best friend, Joey. After the Army, Serafin came back to the North Coast and became a Wildland firefighter, helping to protect the forests he loved. He also worked for Cal Trans for a time.

As an avid outdoorsman, Serafin never missed a chance to be in the woods gathering mushrooms, hunting for deer. When he wasn’t in the wilderness, he was often on the ocean with his Dad and occasionally his mom , reeling in rock fish, halibut, tuna, or pulling crab pots. He shared his love of fishing with his nieces , Ana, Kaitlyn Isabel and Kaia and with his friends. Fish seemed to practically jump in the boat when Serafin was on board!!

Never one to shy away from hard work, Serafin was always ready to help his family or friends; often with a quick laugh, smile or a hug.

Serafin was a light in this world that left too soon. Thank you Lord for letting us have this time with Serafin and for the many memories that we share. Serafin, Serf, Fini, Seraphim will be greatly missed by his family and his friends. S

erafin has gone home to heaven to join his paternal grandparents, Anthony and Shirley Machado, and his maternal grandfather, Donald Glennon.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Serafin’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.