Obituary of James J. Castello

James J. Castello, age 82 of Glen Mills, PA, passed away on January 19, 2024 at his residence at the Maris Grove community with his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Frances Castello, right by his side. Jim was born in Philadelphia, PA to Paul Sylvester Castello and Helen Haselhorst Castello. Jim has resided in the Maris Grove community with his wife since the fall of 2022. He previously resided in Kennett Square, PA, Northern New Jersey, Yokohama, Japan and Racine, WI. Jim graduated from Malvern Preparatory School and would go on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Economics from Villanova University and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. After retirement, he received a Master of Arts in Theology from the College of Saint Elizabeth. He had a highly successful career working for S.C. Johnson for twenty years and then became the President of National Laboratories for ten years before retiring. He later was ordained as a chaplain, serving at various hospitals, including Hackensack Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ and AI Dupont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE. He touched many families during his chaplain service with his kindness, love, and talent by bringing much joy to so many. He pioneered a new position at the Hackensack Medical Center to have a music ministry for babies in the intensive care unit. This was a result of the nurses' feedback on how the babies' monitors became steady and calm as he sang and played his guitar for them.

Jim enjoyed many things, first and foremost spending time with his wonderful wife, five daughters and their families. He also loved football, basketball, and cars, with Corvettes being at the top of his automobile admiration list. He loved the Eagles football team and was the ultimate Villanova fan. In addition to his business and marketing acumen, he was a man of many talents. He was extremely gifted and enjoyed playing numerous instruments including the piano, guitar, accordion, banjo, and ukulele. He also loved to sing, dance and paint throughout his life. He was always an integral part of the Catholic churches he belonged to, leading many of the church choirs, including the men's Cornerstone retreat music. He was known for his charismatic carpe diem personality. His big laugh and smile were contagious. He loved people and enjoyed any sort of gathering; his presence was always tangibly felt. His family and friends fondly referred to him as "The Big Kahuna." Jim truly was a great man, a myth, and a legend! He will be deeply missed by all those who were blessed enough to have him in their lives.

In addition to his parents, Jim is preceded in death by two brothers: Paul and Jack Castello, and his grandson, Walter DeBruin. Jim is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Frances (Livingood) Castello, five daughters: Jamie (Bryan) Holmes, Lisa (Rich) Rowan, Paula Castello, Karen (Connor) Bifferato, and Danielle (David) Tomlin, his brother, Robert Castello, fifteen grandchildren; Olivia, Rachel, Erik, Evan, Eva, Fiona, Elizabeth, Jack, William, Lilliana, Rocco, Gianni, Rainna, Liselle, and Heidi, and one great grandson, Kessler.

A viewing for Jim will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 from 10AM-10:45AM at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 7200 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00AM. Interment will follow at St. Thomas the Apostle Cemetery, Glen Mills, PA. Donations in his memory may be made to Bayada Hospice, 11 Campus Blvd., Suite 190, Newtown Square, PA 19073 . Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com

The Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed at this link: https://www.youtube.com/@SMAChurch/streams