Richard Anthony Castellano Sr.'s Obituary
The world is a little colder today as we announce losing the warmth and charm of Richard Anthony Castellano, Sr. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was born on May 31, 1937, and passed peacefully on May 21, 2026. He was the last surviving member of his family of orientation. He leaves behind wife Ann, son Richard, daughter Jacqueline, son and daughter-in-law Clement and Zahra, and daughter and son-in-law Melinda and Michael, as well as his precious grandchildren Ethan and Alyssa (the greatest joys of his life).
Richard loved the spotlight and telling stories. Quite often the same ones, over and over. He was often teased for this but managed to keep his good humor, as it kept the attention focused on him. He was the youngest of four boys, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Despite growing up in an exclusively Brooklyn Dodgers household, he defiantly remained true to The Bronx Bombers. Shortly after returning home from serving in the Army, and discovering his lifelong affinity for Apple Butter (a story he would tell repeatedly, almost until the very end), he attended a dance at St. Fortunata’s Club where he would meet his future wife, Ann. Two months after their very first dance, they became engaged and remained married for over 66 years until his passing. Dancing would remain a passion of theirs throughout their lives, and neither were afraid to ham it up on the dance floor, as long as all eyes were on them.
In his mid-thirties, Richard followed his brother Nick by moving his family to a small suburb outside of Washington, D.C. (Sterling Park), where Richard and Ann would raise their three children. After meeting Melinda, they would take her into their home and accepted her into their hearts as their daughter. Years later, his son-in-law Michael would ask him why he chose to make Melinda a part of his family. He simply replied, “We got more out of it.” Richard would spend his life completely devoted to his children’s endeavors; never missing a game, event, performance, or getting up every Sunday before sunrise, helping his son deliver the now defunct Washington Star.
When Richard first moved his family to Sterling Park, there was no Catholic Church. He, and so many his age living in Sterling in the early 1970s, worked and helped to build Christ the Redeemer Church on Route 7. He spent many years as a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, volunteering as much time as he could at The Barn to earn money to donate to his favorite charity (St Jude Children’s Research Hospital).
Richard was first employed at the age of 12 (in 1949) and worked continuously until his retirement at age 62. He would never let anyone forget this. His first job was delivering drycleaning, 6 days per week for $7 per week. Yet another piece of personal trivia he shared with immense pride (whether you wanted to hear it or not). He eventually found work with the federal government and, after 29 years, retired as Branch Chief of Vessel Certification and Water Purification, holding the highest civilian position in the Coast Guard. Following the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, Richard helped pen the main ideas for the landmark Oil Pollution Act of 1990, drastically overhauling how the United States manages and prevents oil tanker spills. Among his contributions to this law, oil spill prevention and rapid response to clean up were his two proudest.
Richard was an avid sports fan. In his youth he enjoyed football, basketball, swimming, and was a Junior Golden Gloves boxing champion. Always active and athletic, nothing excited him more than spending every free moment playing baseball. In his retirement, he enjoyed oil painting, golf, tennis, fishing, and traveling with his wife and their friends. With his family, his generosity knew no bounds. He grew up in a neighborhood frequently spending time with his large, loving, extended family and would reflect on those times as some of the happiest memories of his life. He was taught real men are unafraid to show affection for their loved ones and bestowed that same gift on his children. He will be forever missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him, love him, and be loved by him.
The Castellano family will receive guests for visitation from 12:00pm to 1:00pm at Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Cir. SE Leesburg, VA 20175. A funeral service will begin at 1:00pm followed by interment at Sterling Cemetery, 45835 W Church Rd, Sterling, VA 20164.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Richard’s memory to his favorite charity: https://www.stjude.org/.
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