Charles Anthony Castillo

Charles “Chuck” Castillo was born on April 21, 1949 in Long Beach, California to parents Robert and Gloria. He grew up the big brother to sisters Nita and Linda and was spanked only once when he defended those sisters from an older female bully. He was a cub scout and played Little League baseball with his dad as his coach. Chuck attended Helen Keller Elementary School, DeMille Junior High and Millikan High School. He followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the Air Force shortly after graduation. He served honorably as a “Continuous Wave” Morse Code Intercept/Radio operator in assignments in Turkey and Taiwan. During his service he made close and enduring friendships with members of his “dawg flight” who will surely miss their “Sugar Bear”. Several of these buddies travelled from as far away as Maine, Illinois and Nebraska to attend Chuck’s last birthday celebration.

Upon his return to civilian life, he joined the family business and helped run one of the largest and most successful restaurants in Long Beach, the El Castillo Real Mexican Restaurant. Besides his involvement in the restaurant, Chuck’s favorite pastimes were travelling, golfing with his buddies Doug and Mike and tailgating at the Rams football games before the team moved to St. Louis. He was also an avid reader and was knowledgeable and conversant on a variety of subjects. Chuck’s final occupation was as a Customer Service Representative for Southern California Edison.

Chuck’s greatest joy was to become the adoptive father to Jahaziel Alonzo, the grandson of his beloved partner, Sofia Alonzo. Even when his body was failing him after his extended fight against the deadly brain cancer, glioblastoma, Chuck took Jahaziel to Legoland for a day of fun and memories. His wish was to be there for “his boy” and fought the cancer as long as his body allowed………surprising his doctors and family with his tenacity and resilience.

Chuck’s was one of twenty-five first cousins on the Castillo side of the family and loved his family and all of those cousins. He loved to attend family events and made a surprise appearance at the annual family picnic last July. Besides his Air Force buddies, Chuck developed lifelong friendships with neighbors, school chums and co-workers, many of whom consider him their brother.

Chuck was preceded in death by his beloved mother Gloria, his beloved father Robert and his beloved sister Nita. He is survived by his partner Sofia Alonzo, his son Jahaziel Alonzo, his sister Linda Beardslee and brother-in-law Richard Beardslee, nephews John Fierro (Jamie), Brian Castillo (Lea), Richard Beardslee (Agueda), Scott Beardslee and great nephews and nieces Jack and Julia Fierro. Carly Castillo and Ricky Beardslee. Chuck was greatly loved and will be greatly missed!

His funeral mass will be held on:

Thursday, January 10th at 10:00 am at St. Cornelius Catholic Church, 5500 E. Wardlow Rd., Long Beach, CA 90808. Reception to follow at the American Legion Hall, 5938 Parkcrest St., Long Beach, CA 90808.

Internment:

Friday, January 11th at 10:00 at the Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518. Reception to be announced.