David E. Castro

“Anything is possible.” That is what David E. Castro believed about life. He was a creative man, a perpetual inventor who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. He had faith in his ability to find those solutions. David thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. David was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

His parents were Sebastiana Esquivel and Marciano Castro. David was raised in California and Mexico. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, David could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on David's family relationships. David was raised with five siblings. Marciano, Gonzalo, Alfonso, Lupe and Raquel. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, David was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

As a young boy, David could be found building and inventing new and different things. He was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. David took part in soccer and baseball. In his spare time he liked fishing.

Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, David enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. David was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions.

Because he was a quick thinker and adept at picking up on new things, David performed well in college. He was always on a quest for knowledge and he relished the experience. Theories intrigued him, and he was good at solving complex problems. He also pursued a college education, earning an Industrial Engineering degree. His favorite academic subject was Math.

On November 6, 1949 David exchanged wedding vows with Ana Maria Arroyo at Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Catholic Church of Tijuana, Mexico. David was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. David was a straight forward individual, who always spoke his mind and was always willing to provide counsel to those who asked for it and those whom he perceived to be in need of it. David was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to his spouse’s needs. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed verbally sparring with Ana Maria. In fact, those who knew him often remarked that David loved to argue for argument’s sake. He was very perceptive in recognizing Ana Maria's feelings.

David's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. He would assign chores for creating a sense of value and work ethic to be carried in their later days. David was blessed with five children, David, Ana Maria, Victor, Maria-Dolores and Martha. They were also blessed with fourteen grandchildren, Nicole, Victor, Leni, Cristina, Augustus, Francoise, Elizabeth, Jaqueline, Sebastian, Ana-Maria, JuanCarlo, David, Daniel and Dania. Someone who was quick to laugh or laugh with you, David wanted the best for his children and grandchildren, always emphasizing the importantance of pursuing a higher education.

As a born inventor, David was definitely in his element in his work place. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. David was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. He could assess all of the options before him and using his analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. His personal initiative inspired those around him. David was always good at getting a project started and providing guidance to his colleagues. His primary occupation was in the Petroleum Refining & Electrical Power Plant Installation as an engineer. He was employed for 65 years in this industry, working for global companies like Bechtel Corp, Fluor Corp, Moorison & Kanutzen, San Diego Gas & Power and other prominent companies. His employment endevours took him to the far reaches of the world, spending many years in the Middle East, along with other work assignments in the Americas and Southeast Asian countries. David also maintained a loyal membership with the UA Plumbers & Pipefitter Local 230,where he enjoyed the working fellowship when not assignments abroad with the companies mentioned above.

David's strong will and his ability to face any challenge no matter how difficult it might be were tremendous assets that David carried with him into the military. David was an Army Veteran stationed at Fort Ore, in Monterey, California for the duration of his term during World War II.

David's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for him. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solving. Since David was always searching for new and unusual activities, he developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things he became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew him, but most friends and family understood that David simply could not be limited to just a few activities or ideas. He built his own home from the ground up, along with assisting others in their construction projects, as seen at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church when you walk into the church and view the marble floor. His favorite pursuit was Ocean Fishing, with an eventual catch of a striped Marlin off the coast of Baja California, Mexico.

David was continually concerned with the status of local, national and even world affairs. His keen interest and strong values led him to become active in his community. Serving on committees for the Caballeros de Colon, Cursillista de Cristiandad, Movimiento Familiar Cristiano, the Local 230 Plumbers & Pipefitters Union and active in the San Ysidro Redevelopment committee.

Faith and religion were important to David. He was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church for 42 years. During that time, he was a member of the Cursillista de Cristiandad and Movimiento Familiar Cristiano.

Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued David. Traveling for work and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for David to expand his ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included road trips with this fifth wheeler in toe throughout Mexico. Along with well planned trips to Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asian region.

Even while in retirement, David never stopped exercising his inventive talents, and this new phase of his life provided new opportunities for stimulating his interests. Even in retirement, David continued to stay in touch with his old friends and while making plenty of new acquaintances started his own construction company at the age of 65. He was active in the community and felt fulfilled in providing support to his church, the local catholic elementary school and convent.

David passed away on June 11, 2012, at a young age of 92, at home in San Ysidro, California after fighting a brave battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife Ana Maria, and children David, Ana, Victor, Martha and Maria-Dolores and fourteen grandchildren. Services will be held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church and David will be laid to rest at a family plot located at Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita, CA.

David will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to: Sister Servants of the Blessed Sacrement Convent,

333 West Park Drive, San Ysidro, CA 92173

(619) 4207-0333