Linda Castelli

Born and raised on Staten Island to the late Peter and Rafaela Castelli, Linda is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Carol and John Garzi. She is also survived by three nephews, three nieces, a niece in law and three beloved nephew in laws, fifteen great nieces and nephews, one great-great nephew and one great-great niece. Linda was proceeded in death by two sisters, Phyllis Garzi and Marie Neville as well as her brother in law Al Garzi.

Family meant everything to Linda; she went to great lengths to love, honor, and protect them. Linda attended many baseball games and dance recitals to support her nieces and nephews.

Linda held many titles including entrepreneur, author, dancer, fitness instructor, bio energetic practitioner, real estate broker, and investor.

In the 1980’s Linda was the owner, director, and fitness instructor at Shapes Fitness Center. While health and fitness remained a passion for Linda, in 1992 she entered the real estate industry.

She founded her own Real Estate Company, Realty-Pros in 2002 and at that same time managed a residential and commercial mortgage branch office. She volunteered her time to the Staten Island Board of Realtor’s professional standards committee. Linda was then nominated and elected to serve a two-year term as Director. In 2019 Linda founded The Apartment Investor Group, investing in commercial multifamily properties and directing investor relations.

Linda was a leader, pioneer, and passionate soul in every area of her life. After the onset of breast cancer in 2004, Linda developed a passion for salsa dancing. In the salsa community Linda made lifelong friendships and even danced in Trinidad with the dance team, Elegance. Salsa dancing was a form of healing for Linda as was meditating where she again developed a community of friends that became family.

In 2014 to honor her 10 year milestone of being cancer free, Linda created the Living Proof Benefit to celebrate cancer survivors and to educate the community about healthy lifestyle choices. Linda went on to pen a memoir, Survivors Instinct, detailing her personal experience battling cancer.

Linda enjoyed spending time with her family and friends traveling and dancing. She loved to spend time at the beach, especially during the sunrise and sunset. Helping, inspiring, and empowering others brought her the most joy. Even in her very last moments with her last breaths, with her bravery and certainty, Linda inspired a room filled with health care professionals and her family.

Linda was the epitome of pure love and will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Linda to the Florina Cancer Center at Staten Island University Hospital - Northwell Health Foundation

https://support.northwell.edu/siuh-donation?f=EDUSUBNAV&utm_source=edusite&utm_medium=GiveNowButton