Enrico Vittorio (Victor) Castellano passed away Monday, October 28, 2019 after a brief illness. Victor liked to say he had three lives. His first life began June 9, 1928 in San Fili, Cosenza, Italy, the son of Francesco and Antonietta (Noto) Castellano. He proudly served in the Italian Army after World War 2.
For his second life, he settled in Connecticut with his wife Mirella and raised three children, Toni, Robin and Frank. He was an educator and an entertainer. He taught adult education and founded and directed an Italian radio program (Melodie e Ricordi) on WNTY in Southington. That program continues with his son Frank and is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Upon his retirement, he began his third life in Florida with his wife, Nunziata (Nancy). He has been in Florida for nearly 30 years and recently moved to Symphony Assisted Living Center. In his short time there, nothing made him happier than to stroll the grounds playing his mandolin and encouraging the residents to sing their favorite tunes. He also loved to shoot pool with his friends at the Senior Center in Boynton Beach.
His three lives had one thing in common: music. He learned the mandolin, guitar and other instruments in Italy and brought his love of playing for people to the United States. He gathered up his friends into a band, taught beginners how to play, and loved to listen to musical performers. He played in the Florida Mandolin Orchestra for several years.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Mirella, his brothers, Serafino, Francesco and Giovanni and his sisters, Emma, and Enrichetta.
In addition to his wife Nancy, he is survived by his children and their spouses, Antonia and Lawrence Jardine, Robin and Christopher Moon, and Frank and Sayuki Castellano all of Connecticut; his grandchildren, Cristina Jardine and her husband Jesse Caputo, Michael Jardine, Asami Castellano, and Pio Castellano; and his great-grandchildren, Bertram Caputo and Beatrix Caputo. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews in Connecticut, New York, Canada, and Italy. He was especially close to Fulvia Pugliese, Dario Castellano, Michele (Mike) Castellano in New York and Piero Storino in Rome, Italy.
Victor was full of life and would want everyone to enjoy the “Melodies and Memories” of life.
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