Armando Ysidro Casillas

On Saturday, October 8, 2022, the city of Chula Vista lost one of its most beloved

members of the community. Armando Ysidro (A.Y.) Casillas, lived a life of service as not only

an active member of various boards, such as the San Diego County Civil Service Commission

and the Chula Vista Elementary School Board, but he was also a great advocate for children’s

education and focused his life’s mission on instilling the importance of knowledge and education

in order to improve the community he loved. His service to his community would continue into

his late 80’s, but in that time he would serve on the Otay River Valley Planning Commision, The

San Diego Regional Airport Planning Commision, The Veteran Advisory Committee, and many

others. He took great pride in being appointed to serve on the San Diego County Civil Service

Commission, which he did for 10 years.

During World War II, A.Y. and his 6 brothers were drafted to serve in the U.S. Army.

With the brothers strong commitment to service, A.Y.’S oldest brother, Joseph, would later have

an Elementary School in Chula Vista named in his honor- Joseph Casillas Elementary School,

which is still its name to this day. It was in the army that A.Y. realized his life-long calling to

teach, by tutoring Spanish speaking troops English, in order to give them lifesaving

communication skills. It is this call to service, especially to those who were in need, as well as

the local Latino communities, that will forever be a highlight of his life.

While his life of service was an important aspect and foundation of his life, nothing was

more important to him than his family. A.Y., being one of 9 children, grew up knowing the

importance of family and the love that he had for everyone was a gift that was passed on to his

own. Coming from a large family, it is only fitting that he created a large family of his own. In

1950, he married the woman that would forever be by his side for the next 72 years, Margaret

Dee Johnson. In 1954, Armando and Margaret bought their first home and raised their 6 children

in a loving, tight knit household, instilling in his own children a passion for learning, love for

your culture and community, and the knowledge that family is the core foundation for success in

life.

After serving his time in the Army, A.Y. went on to a successful career at Rohr industries.

In a career that lasted 32 years, he would work in tooling, benefits, teaching, scheduling and a

highlight of his time at Rohr, was being a liaison in Mexico with family owned businesses.

While at Rohr, Armando pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Redland's University. It

is also at Rohr that his passion for helping the less fortunate took the form of his service on the

Alliance of Businessmen.

Working at Rohr gave A.Y. a solid foundation to engage in his other interests, especially

helping his immediate community. In creating local community projects that promoted and

benefited the predominantly Spanish speaking community in the South Bay, along with his

involvement in the Otay Community Forum, Armando improved government and community

communications. Along with his civic duty, A.Y. was also a devoted church leader at Our Lady

of Guadalupe where he was involved in major fundraisers that helped the parishioners and the

immediate community. Some might say A.Y. was a pillar of his community. A devoted church

leader and public service champion, A.Y. would influence policy in the communities he lived in

by running for public office, spending many years on the Chula Vista Elementary School Board.

Throughout his life, A.Y. yearning for knowledge and adventure would take him on many

explorations. With his devoted wife, children, as well as friends by his side for many of these

trips, Armando experienced much of what the world has to offer. Europe, Antarctica, Venezuela,

a plethora of locales within the U.S., and some of the most memorable trips were with family and

friends traveling in caravans down to Mexico. These trips would allow his children to immerse

themselves in their roots, culture, and their family’s background. Those who went would say

“they were adventures of a lifetime.” With his foundation of family, faith, service, and

community beneath him, Armando took on many projects over his lifetime.

Armando’s pursuits and passions ran deep. His love for cars, flowers, gardening,

togetherness was a focal point for those who knew him best. He would find his way into the

South Bay Cruisers, where he would take home many 1st place trophies. His classic Mustang,

which he fully restored from fender to fender, was something he took great pride in. People

would shout “I love your car!” as he drove in parades throughout the city. An avid dahlia and

rose grower as well. His natural green thumb cultivated some of the most glorious blooms,

plentiful fruit trees, and you could always find breathtaking bouquets on the kitchen and dining

room tables.

It is his legacy of family, community, and service that will forever live on in the hearts of

those he cared about. He leaves behind his cherished wife of 72 years, Margaret; 5 children, 11

grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Giving them all the gift of love, the importance of

family, and lifelong memories of family gatherings where he was the life of the party!

As his granddaughter Andrea shared, “I always loved the playfulness of your

storytelling…as a listener, you knew a joke was probably coming and you never knew for sure if

the story was 100% true, although it probably was (you had quite a lot). You instilled is us the

love of family and the honor in serving the community in one way or another. A respected leader

through and through. I promise to give everyone a hard time when we play cards and

occasionally put down the wrong hand just to make sure everyone is paying attention. We sure

are lucky we had you for so long. You will be missed beyond measure.”

Armando was loved dearly and will be profoundly missed by his family, friends, and all

those who were lucky enough to know him.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.glenabbeysandiego.net for the Casillas family.