Arthur Joseph Castillo

On July 31, 2018, we will be saying our final good byes to Arthur Joseph Castillo. Funeral services will be held at San Antonio Catholic Church in Anaheim Hills at 9:30. After the service we will proceed to Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange where he will rest with many members of family who have predeceased him. He was 93 years old, an adoring family man, musician and friend. He was born to Cirilo Castillo and Josephine Campos near El Rancho de Santa Ana (The Ranch”). He spent the first 17 years of his life on the Ranch. He was the second of 10 children.   In his soon to be published Memoirs, Dad describes his adventures at the Ranch during those early years. He tells about playing baseball using tennis balls and bats made from tree branches when he was 5. As kids, they swam in their backyard “swimming pool” - the irrigation canal. When a little older their beach was the Santa Ana River. As they approached adolescence they fished for catfish and shot bull frogs with spears and sling shots. Older children taught the younger ones how to be creative with the materials around them to make spears and sling shots, using tree branches and rubber from old tires! So many hilarious stories he told us so many times about those first 17 years. He didn’t share much about the darker days that followed after his dad passed and the family had to leave the Ranch. Suffice it to say that he and his older brother, Al were forced to become responsible for the family: my grandmother and 8 siblings, including an infant.   Dad had his music as a life line. He and Al were taught to play the sax and clarinet at an early age. Their dad, Cirilo, was an accomplished musician who taught them not only to read and play music, but to write music as well. Music led him to our mom, Lucy Moreno. Dad shared lovely stories about music bringing him and mom together and their budding romance - a match made in heaven. Two beautiful, caring people who taught us that, above all, family is our most precious possession.   Our Dad, Arthur, had many professional and educational accomplishments throughout his 93 years. We will remember him through our many memories and the words he shares with us in his writings. Dad had a long productive and successful life He will be missed by his loving wife, Lucy Moreno, his daughters Rose, Celia, Pam and Gwen; his sons Art Jr. and Ken, and Larry. His grand children: Kenny, Kim, Lisa, Michael, John, Kate, Matt, Jenny, and Michelle; 15 great grand children and 3 great great grand children. He will be greeted in Heaven by grandson Joseph Arthur and son in law Don.