After suffering a prolonged, debilitating illness, our beloved father, Leocadio Castillo, Sr., born December 9, 1934, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2021. Originating from McAllen, Texas, he was the eldest son of Juan and Dominga Castillo.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served honorably from August 25, 1954 to November 21, 1958. His stint with the navy completed, Leocadio married the love of his life, Alicia Gonzalez on June 7, 1959, and they went on to have six children. He and his beloved wife of fifty-seven years, Alicia, will finally be reunited with their first born, Martha Alicia, who perished at infancy.
A devoted father and husband, who tirelessly worked up to three jobs to support his family, moved to Waukegan, Illinois in 1962, where he remained for the rest of his days. In 1974 he suffered a brain abscess rupture and was operated on in emergency surgery. Although he was not expected to survive the seven hour procedure, he did and was able to regain much of his strength and former vitality, but had to retire as a Water Treatment Operator from Abbott Laboratories.
He will remain our hero and role model for the courage and strength he demonstrated every day of his life. Leocadio is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Alicia G. Castillo (August 8, 2016); precious daughter, Martha Alicia Castillo (May 18,1960); father, Juan Escalante Castillo; mother, Dominga Villarreal Castillo; brothers, Francisco, Juan de la Cruz, and Benigno Castillo; sisters, Marcelina and Nicolasa Castillo.
He is survived by his daughter, Alvina M. Sanchez of Waukegan, IL (married to Adam, daughter MaryJude, granddaughter Marisabel Ruiz); his son, Leocadio Castillo Jr. of Lake Villa, IL (married to Ilona, daughter Lauren, grandson Kayden Webber, son Alex, daughter-in-law Elly and grandson Theodore); daughter, Maria A. Gonnella of Glenview, IL (married to Paul, son Luke, daughter Francesca); daughter, Petra Ward of Kenosha, WI (married to Robert, son Jonah, daughter Alycia); and daughter, Martha E. Thomas of Highlands Ranch, CO (married to William, son Joaquin, daughter Bianca, and son Mateo); brothers, Jose Maria Castillo of McAllen, TX and Gregorio Castillo of McAllen, TX; and sisters, Juanita Palomo of McAllen, TX and Susana Gaona of Mission, TX.
Leocadio wished for a ceremony with immediate family only. He was laid to rest on April 28, 2021. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter, 800-272-3900,
DONATIONS
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5