Philip Castillo

Philip Castillo was born on March 21, 1925 in Long Beach, CA. He passed away peacefully on November 9, 2010. Phil was the loving husband of Stella Castillo; father of Mary (Betty) Ponce and Ron Castillo; grandfather of Paul, Sam, Greg, Lora, Brett, Casey, Mary and Marci; great-grandfather of Megan, CJ, Jack, Sophia, Rachel, Graham, Sabrina and Leah. He is also survived by his brothers, Lupe, Bob, Jose and sisters, Socorro and Mary. Phil graduated from Long Beach Poly High School and attended Long Beach City and L.A. Harbor College. He joined the Marine Corps in 1945 and was assigned to the First Battalion, 28th Regiment, Fifth Marine Division, where he received a Purple Heart on Iwo Jima. He joined the Long Beach Police Department in 1949, where he was a traffic cop at Ocean and Pine until he became a restauranteur, opening Casa de Fiesta in Garden Grove in 1959 and later Casa Castillo in Los Alamitos in 1966. Phil was an avid sports fan, supporting local prep, college and professional teams. He was especially proud of attending all of his grandson's baseball and football games. Phil will be remembered for his loving devotion to his wife, family and Corps. Services will begin Thursday, November 18 at Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary at 5161 E. Arbor Road, Long Beach, CA. Visitation 4-7pm with a Vigil at 7pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated November 19 at St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Los Alamitos at 10:30 am followed by interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Phil's honor to Marine Toys for Tots, www.toysfortots.org, go to personalized memory donation.

Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell (562) 425-6401 www.luybenfamilyd-m.com