Peter William Castelli

Peter William Castelli passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 30, 2022, at Connecticut Hospice in Branford after a long illness. Born in Hartford, CT, to Rudolph and Alice Castelli, Peter had a sweet, loving, and cheerful spirit. Despite the challenges he faced throughout his life, he was a joyful companion to his family and friends. He grew up in Madison, CT, and lived for many years on Birch Lane in a SARAH group home. He loved horses and spent lots of happy hours grooming them, carriage driving with “Big Al” at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding in Old Lyme, CT, and joking with the staff and volunteers there. He also loved cars and could pick out any make and model in a parking lot or driveway. School buses were another favorite, and his family and friends learned the locations of all the school bus lots in the surrounding towns so he could look at them. His favorite restaurant was Luigi’s in Old Saybrook, where he celebrated his birthday, indulging in veal parmesan and garlic bread, and Luigi’s Mud Pie for dessert.

Peter was predeceased by his parents, Alice and Rudolph Castelli. He leaves behind his sister, Martha Hansen (Donald Hansen) of East Haddam, CT; brothers William Castelli (Kari Nelson) of Clinton, CT; and Daniel J. Castelli (Sharon Ligorner) of Easthampton, MA; nephews Joshua Murphy and Evan Castelli, nieces Abby Murphy and Ora Castelli, and grand-nephew Thomas Biboux.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to SARAH, Lara D’Aniello and everyone who lived and worked at Birch Lane over the many years that Peter lived there, the wonderful nurses and staff at Shoreline Dialysis Center in Branford, and Thashia Bentley and the staff at Pete’s last home in North Branford. You made such a huge difference in his life, and ours. Donations may be made in Peter’s memory to the SARAH Foundation, 246 Goose Lane, Suite 104, Guilford, CT; or High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, 36 Town Woods Road, Old Lyme, CT.

A memorial service celebrating Peter’s life will be held at the Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Rd., Madison on Saturday, April 16, 2022 from 1 PM - 3 PM.