Manuel F Castillo

Manuel Castillo was a kind soul that lived a of optimistic, courage, discipline and honor. Born the son of pre.communist Cuba's Army colonel Manuel Castillo Garcia in 1936, he was born destined for a career in the military. At 16 years old he enlisted as a soldier in the Army and then joined the Military Academy when he was 18. When he was 22, in the year 1959 he was imprisoned along with his fellow military peers as a political prisioner for charges of conspiring against what was

Then Cuba's new communist government, they were asking to have him be executed in a firing squad but was imprisoned for 17 years instead in Cuba's Santa Clara, Guanajai and Cabana prisons, where he saw many of his friends being executed via firing squad, or committing suicide. In 1963 he had married his wife of 58 years, America Castillo while in prison. In 1977 he was granted released, gave birth to their first son Manuel Castillo and then moved to Venezuela in 1979 where they had their second son Fernando Castillo.

Once in Venezuela Manuel became a prestigious execute for Pepsi, where he was able to travel with his family. As a father he paid for his sons to study and learn from early skills like swimming, driving, martial arts and self protection. He supported the paths that each of his children chose while instilling the core values and principles that were instilled in him. In 1990 after Venezuela's decline in public safety he decided to move his family to Miami Florida, where he raised his sons into adluts. His son Manuel jr became a college football player and his son Fernando grew up to be Grammy Nominated Music Producer, something that brought him great Pride and fulfillment. During these years in Miami he become a Historian and a public speaker sharing history related commentary or being interviewed for his own story of survival and preservirience to many radio stations as well as making TV appearances. He lived a righteous honorable life were he made many bonds and life long friends. In 2013 he was diognosed with Alzheimer's Disease to which he fought against to the very end. Providing a life long example of an ideal husband, father, brother and friend to many, his departure will be missed but Never forgotten and his memory will live on thru the memory of his family which also includes 4 grandchildren.

A visitation for Manuel will be held Friday, July 23, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 11:59 PM at Caballero Rivero Hialeah, 373 W 9 Street, Hialeah, FL 33010.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.riverofuneralhomehialeah.com for the Castillo family.