Bienvenido David Castro

Beloved husband to Teresita Castro

Treasured father of Alan, Leila, Jim, and Shay

Bienvenido, a Spanish word meaning “welcome,” traditionally given

to a child considered a long-awaited gift.

David, with biblical roots representing courage, leadership, and

redemption.

Castro, a classic Spanish surname, translating to “castle or “fortress,” symbolizing strength and protection.

The first child of 8, his parents, Modesto and Virginia, could not have imagined the name they carefully chose would be a prophecy of our dad’s life trajectory.

He originated from impoverished roots in the Philippines.

Through tremendous grit and determination coupled with keen

intelligence, his early accomplishments include Valedictorian of his

high school class, service in the Philippine Army, and #1 honor

graduate of his Navy boot camp class, earning an assignment to

electrician shipboard training. It has been surmised that our father

was the first filipino to earn this type of assignment into a technical

field. This is extremely significant and particularly impressive. During that time, filipinos were relegated to serving as cabin cleaners, cooks, and low level supply departmental roles.

Our dad broke the glass ceiling. Bienvenido Castro was a pioneer, opening up more diverse career opportunities for future filipino navy recruits. His Navy career encompassed service in Vietnam under combat conditions with the Harbor Clearance unit in the Mekong Delta, during which his Division Officer routinely depended on him to function as a bodyguard and ride “shotgun” during any overland travel in hostile territory.

During his successful 20 year career, he achieved the rank of Chief,

serving as an electrical motor rewind instructor.

His expertise rebuilding shipboard generators was legendary. He

often received emails from ship engineers deployed in the Pacific

theater consulting him to solve complex shipboard electrical issues. Moving closer to home, our father was truly a fortress and a protector for his wife and 4 children.

In addition to his duties in the Navy, he worked several jobs in order to support his growing family to ensure his wife and 4 children would never want for anything. As children, we remember seeing our Dad sleeping on his black recliner before he reported to a shift at one of his many jobs.

Bienvenido David Castro was tireless.

He was relentless.

He was driven.

He was principled.

He bestowed these values unto his children. A humble man of

impoverished means, his proudest legacy are his children (a trauma

emergency department registered nurse, a psychiatrist/former Navy intelligence officer, a Clinical Laboratory Scientist supervisor, and an emergency department/intensive care unit registered nurse, as well as their children, our dad’s 7 treasured grandchildren.

In his later life, our dad’s greatest love and mission was to indulge

and spoil our Mom, who he cherishes very deeply. Dad, you are a gift to us. You are our fearless leader, our fortress, our strength, our compass, and our inspiration. You believed in each and every one of us. You made us believe dreams and challenging aspirations are achievable through persistence and determination.

You loved us intensely, and we are forever changed because of your

strong life force. Dad, we miss you terribly. We love you very dearly.

You will forever remain in our hearts. During important milestones and during special moments, we will celebrate your memory and perpetuate your legacy.

Dad, please rest and continue to be a part of our lives.

Dad, we love you, we love you, we love you.

A viewing will be held at Funeraria del Angel National City, 607 National City Blvd, National City, California 91950, on June 9, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St Rita's Catholic Church, 5124 Churchward St, San Diego, California 92114, on June 9, 2026, at 12:00 pm.

Committal with Military Honors will take place at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Noble Drive, San Diego, CA 92122.