Richard P. Castagna

Richard P. Castagna, Sr. of Palm Coast, FL, passed away in his 89th year, in November 2021 in Jacksonville, FL. Born in New London, CT, he was the son of Giuseppe Castagna and Filippa Perrone. He was preceded in death by his parents and his eight brothers and sisters: John, Catherine, Angelo, Domenic, Josephine, Frank, Joseph, and Edmund. 

In high school, Richard was in the Italian club and loved working on cars. He earned a scholarship and bachelor’s degree in history at Yale College. He served in the Navy on the USS Dashiell FPO. Later, he earned his law degree and worked as a tax attorney until his retirement from Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company of Springfield, MA, in the early 1990s.

In retirement, Richard traveled far and wide with his wife, and he also enjoyed growing huge oranges in his backyard. He was a gourmet cook and would remind you to save your chicken bones to make soup, or better yet get ham hocks for split pea soup (“tastes even better the second day!”) He also listened to classical music and the Vienna Opera. He was also a member of the Hammock Dunes Club and the Seabrook Island Club.

Richard met his beloved ‘best girl’ and wife Dorothy on a blind date and remained extremely and lovingly devoted to her for the next 65 years. He is also survived by four children, Richard Jr. of Ellicott City, MD, (granddaughter Jennifer Castagna of College Park, MD and grandson Richard Castagna III of NYC); daughter Ann Castagna Morin (Jay) of Southampton, MA, (and grandson Michael Anthony Morin of Weatogue, CT); daughter Elizabeth Castagna (David Arkley) of London, England; and daughter Judith Castagna of Arlington, VA.

Interment will be at Longmeadow Cemetery, Longmeadow, MA. Due to Covid, a memorial service is delayed until Spring or Summer 2022.

The family of Mr. Castagna entrusted the arrangements to Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations.