Joseph John Castoro

Joe’s wishes were to pass at home after a long battle with congestive heart failure. This last week he was surrounded by the love of Anny, his wife of 27 years, her daughters, Lauren, Cindy (husband, Jacob) and sons, Daniel (wife, Patricia) and Bradley (wife, Kara). He found tremendous joy in being Grandpa to Brennan, Drew, Claire, Nola, Finley, and Nathan. In death, he is preceded by his two siblings, Marie and Vito.

Son of Charles Castoro and Anntoinette DeVito, Joe was born in Brooklyn, raised in Queens. An accomplished student and high school football player at Xavier Military Prep in Manhattan, he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy where he played football and participated in track, graduating and commissioning as an officer in the U.S. Navy in 1967. He served as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy with two tours in Vietnam and retired from the Naval Reserves as a Lieutenant Commander. Joe also earned a law degree from the University of Baltimore and a Masters in Law from Georgetown University. The first half of his career was spent in the defense industry in Maryland. In 1987, he relocated to OKlahoma City with his two boys and became an active member of the St. Eugene and Bishop McGuinness High School communities.

His career later transitioned to over 20 years with Rose Hill and Hahn-Cook in Oklahoma City, advising and supporting families through their own difficult loss of loved ones. He was an ever-present member of St. Francis- his and Anny’s center of Catholic faith in OKC- serving regularly as a lector and usher. He had his core buddies with whom he loved hanging out or catching a movie.

His childhood memories included Italian dinners each Sunday cooked by Nona and summer camp in upstate New York. A lifelong learner, he always had a new book in hand. He was a booster club fixture at the concession stand for BMHS sporting events. He and Anny traveled across the US, visiting family and friends and experienced the world together, from Europe to Africa. He loved Navy football and cold pizza for breakfast. ‘Go Navy, Beat Army’ was his mantra…always a Midshipman.

Sinatra was singing to him over the stereo this week. Magically befitting of the warm, thoughtful, and truly hilarious man, his last real words were:

‘It’s a beautiful day for a walk in the park.”

Yes it is, Dad. It absolutely is.

Sinatra would definitely agree ~ You did it your way.

Funeral mass will be held Saturday, March 19, 2022, 11:00am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1901 NW 18th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73106. Internment to follow at 2pm at Rose Hill Cemetery, 6001 NW Grand Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73118.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to St. Francis of Assisi in OKC or the Fisher House Foundation.

www.stfrancisokc.com

www.fisherhouse.org