Sal CASTRO Obituary

CASTRO, Sal
Born October 25, 1933 and passed away April 15, 2013 in Los Angeles.
Rosary, 7:30 pm Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church, 2060 North Vermont Ave., L.A., CA 90027; Funeral Mass 9:30am Thursday, April 25, 2013 at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 West Temple, L.A., CA 90012. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery, 4201 Whittier Blvd., L.A., CA 90023. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sal Castro Foundation, 2631 Ivanhoe Dr., L.A., CA 90039. Please sign online guest book at www.callanancares.com Callanan & Woods Scovern Mortuary (818) 242-0258

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Published by Los Angeles Times from Apr. 21 to Apr. 23, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Sal CASTRO

13 Entries

Book Signing @ Lighthouse Bookstore 2011

Rebecca Escobar

May 14, 2013

Today the world lost a great teacher, a great human being R.I.P. Sal Castro
.by Rebecca Escobar (Notes) on Monday, April 15, 2013 at 11:Los Angeles

Today the world lost a great teacher.......

Sal Castro has touched thousands of individuals and I am one of them.

In 1979 I met Sal Castro by accident, or was it an accident? I am a firm believer that "Everything happens for a reason" God puts people in our lives for a reason.

When I arrived at Belmont as a 10th grader I was a mocosa, cool, and I knew everything. Yes, we all had our phases we went through and in 10th grade I went through the ditching phase. I never even considered going to college. In 1979 I did not have the pleasure of being Mr. Castro's student. I was an un-official visitor lol. One day a friend invited me to cut class and go visit her class. She told me "He is cool, he will let you stay" Well, he did, and I loved listening to his lectures. He's lectures covered so many topics: pride, poder, history, chicano movements, continuing education, teenage pregnancy, racism, latin history, vietnam, damn you name it he spoke about it. lol!!

Instead of me cutting class and being out on the street, doing who knows what he'd rather let me sit in his class and listen, educate me book wise and street wise.

We became friends, I think I visited his class once a week :) He would take about 3 of us in his bug to go pick up his sport jackets at his personal taylor in Downtown LA. During the ride he would talk to us, motivate us,lecture us, inspire us to do better for ourselves. He instilled so much pride, I was never so proud to be a Mexican- American as I was in High School. I mean yea, I was always proud of my roots but in high school and after, my pride was and is today intense....

I loved his trial class participation so much that in 1980 I became one of his students. This is where I got pretend married CAP. The pretend marriage was sur-real. He made us budget, calculate and deal with real life situations. Even had a pretend baby and issues to deal with. Boy did he emphasize to wait, to go to college first before marriage and children.

In 1981, I was bussed to Verdugo High School because of the overcrowding, I cried. I had never in my life experienced racism till I went to Verdugo High School. Now, I actually understood the racism the unjust that occurred in the walk outs in 1968 the history of La Raza that Castro taught us all about. Yes, there was name calling: wetbacks, beaners. Fights: Gringos against Latinos, food and rock throwing to our bus. The next day I protested, went to Belmont pleaded with administration to let me come back and graduate from Belmont. I even went to Mr. Castro and told him all about my awful experience. He was upset. Till this day I don't know if Belmont let me back because I pleaded with them or if Mr. Castro had anything to do with influencing admin. to let me come back. I laugh about it now cause I only attended Verdugo for one day. Castro taught me to fight for what you believe and this Verdugo/Belmont fight I won cuz they let me come back and graduate from Belmont. =)

If it wasn't for inspirational Castro I would not have attended ELAC nor Cal State LA. Throughout the years I have always bumped into Sal, whether it be in Silverlake, campuses,community events, 2010 Escalante's funeral, and his 2011 book signing. This man named Sal Castro inspired me to be the person that I am: Brown, Proud and Educated....

My heart is hurting, R.I.P. Mr. Castro you have touched thousands of lives and I will never forget your inspiration, motivation, ganas, poder and the Beauty you brought To and Out of La Raza....A true legend to all communities.

'71 north hollywood high school social studies-

April 29, 2013

Your role in History is very underrated, both in relation to the Chicano Movement, but also in regard to Education in general and Los Angeles in particular.

teresa mcgrath

April 29, 2013

mr. castro was one of the best teachers at north hollywood high school in the early '70's...he galvanized our class by demonstrating how important it was to vote, and if old enough, to become registrar of voters...a true loss...

J Lizarraga

April 25, 2013

Mr.Castro, Wish we all could have had you a little longer. However, God needed you at this time. We are saddended but so thankful everyday to have known you and experienced such leadership, vision and inspiration both at Lincoln and Belmont as your students. You instilled courage within us to protest for fairness and the right to a good education. Our children and grandchildren are inspired and encouraged by all your dreams and accomplishments which only opened the door wider for all. We will not forget you. All our thoughts and prayers go out to your family wih total respect on this day in history.

Lourdes Herrera (Lopez)

April 25, 2013

A great man and an inspiration to us all; a tremendous loss for our community. I am hornored to have had you as my teacher, mentor and motivator. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Fernando Hernandez

April 24, 2013

Every man and woman will come to a point in their lives when they will ask themselves, "my life...did I make a difference, did I leave it better off?" Sal chose to make a difference, he changed our lives, our world, in a way that will be felt for generations to come, through the lives of all those he touched. Sal Castro I salute you, you made a difference and left this world a better place. Rest in peace.

jaime

April 24, 2013

Thank you for sharing your insights and leadership to us as students. We always repspected that. Special blessings to you and your family. We all followed in your foot steps to seek fairness and justice...equality

Susie Gonzalez Family

April 24, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. It was an honor to have said that my family and I personally knew him. Rest in peace.

Margaret Blanco Duarte

April 23, 2013

My sympathy to Sal's family.My friendship goes back to St. Thomas school during the 1940'S. Rest in peace my friend.

Rosalinda Pulido Ferrell

April 22, 2013

My prayers to all who were touched by the light of your love and the students who were inspired by your passion. You lived your life with dignity, and respect.Thank you for sharing your life with us.

Juanita Meraz

April 22, 2013

I respect Sal Castro for his involvement in improving the educational opportunities for students in the L.A.U.S.D. and for his leadership in the Chicano Leadership Program. Many of my students participated in the program and as a result were motivated to graduate from high school, attend a university and return to their community and contribute to the necessary causes in education, government and civil rights. We have lost a great motivator. My sympathy to his family and all who supported his cause.

Diane Duran-Gearld

April 22, 2013

We lift up his family and loved ones in prayer for peace and comfort, knowing that his life was one of service, motivation and a great passion for the children of our communities. Mr. Castro influenced my younger life and will truly be remembered as a warrior.

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