James Bernard Castonguay

James Bernard Castonguay was born on July 19, 1946 and passed away on April 24, 2024. In his final years, he fought esophageal cancer with his characteristic determination, strength and sly sense of humor. Jim also knew that a batch of warm cookies or banana bread could help any situation, including doctor visits.

Jim was the second of five children born to James and Catherine Castonguay in South East D.C. He was very proud of his city roots and Catholic school education. He was a man of great faith. His father passed away from leukemia when Jim was fourteen and his mother worked long hours to provide for her family. His brothers and sister were fiercely loyal to one another.

After graduating from Archbishop Carroll, Jim went to Merrimack College in North Andover, MA, where he received a BA in US History. He also met his beloved wife, Mary Beth Casey. In the process, he gained another family and the Casey-Castonguay bond remains strong.

Upon leaving Merrimack College, Jim joined the faculty at his high school alma mater and became a history teacher and football coach under the tutelage of Maus Collins. While teaching, he received an MA in US History from Catholic University. Five years later, he joined the staff of Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, MD, where he taught history and government at all levels and coached girls track and JV football. Jim met a crew of coaches who became his life long friends. Jim was well known for his scouting talents. After 20 years, he transferred to Wootton High School in Rockville, MD, where he continued to teach history and became a varsity football head coach. He was known in teaching for handing out candy, encouraging creative map coloring and explaining complex history in terms any student could understand.

When he decided to retire from teaching, he continued coaching football with his friends at Good Counsel High School in Olney, MD. In addition, he became a volunteer docent at the two Smithsonian Air and Space Museums. While there, he often taught younger students and was a pro at giving insightful tours about a subject he loved, World War II airplanes. Jim was a volunteer at heart who over the years worked to improve the schools in his neighborhood, organized block parties and ran swim team meets.

Above all, Jim loved his family. Jim never referred to his wife by name, Mary Beth was always called “dear.” His children, Anne, Jimmy and Patrick, understood their Dad would always be there, for every dinner, game, show or ceremony. He was a loving and fun uncle who played in the waves and planned many educational trips. But his greatest joy was truly his grandchildren: Katherine, Margaret, Elizabeth, James, Daniel, Megan, Sarah, Collin and Aidan. Jim would regale anyone who would listen with stories of their accomplishments. He prayed every day for the soul of his granddaughter Amy.

He is survived by his wife Mary Beth, daughter Anne Lewis of Bedford, NH, son James (Kristy) Castonguay of Laurel, MD, and son Patrick (Breana) Castonguay of Silver Spring, MD, and nine grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Robert (Sue, deceased) Castonguay of Takoma, WA and Michael (Wendy) Castonguay of Dedham, MA and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, James and Catherine Castonguay, his sister Marie and husband Harry Jones, brother Thomas Castonguay and granddaughter Amy Castonguay.

A visitation will be held at DeVol Funeral Home, 10 E. Deer Park Drive, Gaithersburg, MD on Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 201 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD on Friday May 3, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at All Souls Cemetery, Germantown, MD. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Children’s National Medical Center NICU, https://www.childrensnational.org/get-care/departments/neonatal-intensive-care-unitnicu or to a charity of your choice.