Glen Allan Castlio

Glen A. Castlio was born on December 6th, 1938 in Walnut Creek, CA. He passed away January 31st, 2012 in Folsom, CA. He was 73 years young. He was preceded in death by his brother Gary Lynn, parents Bud and Hazel and Patsy, his wife of 42 years. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Ann Szabo, her husband Tom, their children, Jake, Ava and Alex of San Jose, CA; his son Michael Douglas, his wife Marcy Lynne, their children Gabriella and Cole of Folsom, CA; His son, Jeffrey Damon of Fremont, CA and daughter Geri Lynne Castlio of Roseville, CA.

Glen spent his childhood camping with his brother and father in Yosemite. After he graduated from high school, he enlisted in the Navy. He was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia where he spent time as a boiler man. During his time on the East Coast, he made his way to Boston, where he met his wife, Patricia Ann Damon of Rockland, MA. Patsy’s family loved Glen almost as much as he loved them. Glen was discharged from the Navy in November, 1959 and they married. As they drove across country to start their new life in California, they took time to honeymoon in Niagara Falls. Glen often joked about marrying an older woman, Patsy joked about having to buy the beer when they were on their honeymoon.

Glen and Patsy eventually settled in San Jose, CA where he found a part-time job at “The Rockery” while he went to school at San Jose State University. With a new baby added to the family, Glen decided to join the San Jose Police Department. At that time, the SJPD gave their new officers a weapon, keys to a patrol car and sent them on their way. Glen joked about trying to deliver a drunk to the ER but they turned him away and told him to bring him back once he was awake. Glen drove around for several hours and eventually, took him to the hospital, where they realized the poor man was not drunk, he was dead. At least, that’s how the story goes.

Glen was always fascinated by the Asian Art of Jujitsu. He studied under Professor Raymond Law, Professor Bud Estes and Yosh Uchida. He eventually achieved a 1st degree black belt and was a Sensei for the YMCA on the Alameda. He took part in competitions both as a participant and judge. He received a bronze medal at the Police Olympics.

When SJPD implemented a new Canine Program, Glen found the perfect partner; Rocky, a beautiful German Sheppard who had great pedigree, but bad hips. Glen and Rocky worked the midnight weekend shift in East Side San Jose for most of their careers. When Rocky was forced to retire, Glen never shared his patrol car with another partner.

Eventually, Glen made his way into the political arena. He probably held every office in the SJ Peace Officer’s Association. He was also a member of the Peace Officers Research Association of California. He spent a great deal of time advocating for Policeman’s rights. At one point, the State of California suggested he register as a lobbyist. He even made it to the White House to witness President Carter sign a bill requiring states to provide protective gear to police officers ensuring a safe work environment.

During Glen’s career, he was instrumental in assisting in the investigation of several murders in the 1980’s. Glen led detectives to a key piece of evidence which eventually led to the arrest and conviction of the infamous Trail Side Killer. He was honored by the City of San Jose with an Award for his contribution to the investigation. Glen worked for the San Jose Police Department for 22 year.

Outside of work Glen enjoyed spending time with his family and attended various sporting events for his children. Throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s Glen and Patricia were heavily involved in Bicycle Motocross with their children. They enjoyed it so much that together they ran and assisted in running several BMX tracks throughout the Bay Area. Glen even opened a bicycle store (San Jose BMX) in San Jose and sponsored a larger team of BMX riders. Glen and Patsy traveled the West Coast from race to race with their children and many close friends. Glen was an icon at the track sitting in front of his yellow and white motor home, selling BMX equipment.

Glen was not one to sit idle; he spent several years working in the bicycle department at Reeds Sporting Good Store. From there he returned to the Law once again and attended Santa Clara University where he received a certificate in Paralegal Studies. He loved investigating, researching and re-enacting accidents; his efforts assisted countless victims of carelessness to find justice.

One fine day, Glen and Patsy were watching a movie called “Dirty Dancing”, and the rest was history. Glen and Patsy caught the bug! They signed up at Fred Astaire and found their way to a new passion they could both share. Samba, Tango, Waltz, Two Step, the Hustle, it didn’t matter; they jumped into it full Swing. Glen looked dashing in a snazzy tuxedo and Patsy all dolled up in her fancy ball gowns. They found their place in a family of dancers. It was the best thing that could have happened! They traveled, competed, laughed and had fun together.

Eventually, his life turned a corner when his life and dance partner was diagnosed the summer of 2001 with Lung Cancer. September 11th had great impact on him as he watched those brave men and women from the NYFD, NYPD and the Port Authority perish in the towers, all the while, watching his wife succumb to a terrible disease.

After Patsy’ death, Glen was lost for quite awhile but eventually, he found his way to a new life. He remodeled his house, and eventually sold it ironically to a young SJPD Officer. He relocated to Woodland, CA where there was less traffic and lots of open space. He bought himself a snazzy Mercedes AMG convertible, learned how to ride horse and began to travel to London, Italy and Asia. He visited New York, to pay his respects to the men and women who lost their lives in the towers. He loved to go to Carmel for the Annual Concorde de Elegance to photograph the expensive vintage cars.

Glen was able to celebrate one final Thanksgiving, Christmas and a New Year’s Eve with his family.

The end came rather quickly. He’d suffered a stroke three weeks earlier; however, we believed he would recover. While in rehab, the therapists had to constantly remind him to use the walker; they were amazed as he preferred to carry it around. He looked very strong and healthy. The day he passed away, his caregiver helped him shaved and gave him a hair. He worked with his speech therapist, had lunch and then he was gone.

As a family, we were looking forward to spending time with him as he recovered. We planned to take him to lunch, to his grandson’s basketball, baseball and soccer games and to his granddaughter’s dance recitals.

However, God had a different plan. We wonder whether or not the thought of being dependent upon others, struggling to communicate, not being able to make his own decisions and the prospect of never being able to drive his sporty little Benz again, was too much and he decided he was done. I know Patsy and his partner Rocky were there to embrace him as he arrived. He will be missed.

Services will be held at 2:30pm on Saturday, February 18th at the Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel in San Jose. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the American Cancer Society, the Sacramento Pet Food Bank or to your favorite charity.