Amado Castillo

1925 - 2013

In Loving Memory
Amado R. Castillo
Dec.1, 1925 - Feb 10, 2013
 
Dear Ol' Dad passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Feb. 10, 2013, he was 87.  Amado was the eldest of 12 siblings born to Francisco & Idalia Castillo on December 1, 1925, in Williams AZ.  His family moved to Merced Falls, were he said that his fondest memories were riding bikes to Henderson Park to swim in the Merced River.  Amado was known as "40" back then, for "40 cents."  Eventually his family moved to Merced and settled on 15th Street.  He joined the Army at the age of 19, and was stationed stateside.  The war ended before he could serve a tour of duty.
He met and married Justina (Jay) Briceno, from Chowchilla.  They met at a dance at the American Legion in Merced.  They celebrated their 60th anniversary on November 16, 2012.  They are parishioners of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. 
Amado was a Letter Carrier for USPS for 35 years.  He gave the most personable service to the people on this route.  He also worked as a meat butcher for Food Center Store for many years.  After retiring from the post office,Dad started his own yard service and continued to do so until the age of 80. Many of his lawn customers were people he once delivered mail to.
In the 60's, he coached Little League baseball. He also enjoyed bowling on the post office bowling team.  He received a Lifetime Membership to Club Mercedes this year, which he served for a term as vice-president and was on the cooking crew.  He  was a member of the American Legion.  He served on the committees for the annual Merced Falls reunion and the first Williams, Arizona reunion held in Merced.  In 2012, he was honored as an "Old Timer" of Merced County from the Old Timers Association of Merced County.
Dad's little pleasures were watching football, the Friday night fights, having his family around him, and of course a bowl of ice cream. But, close to heart was praying the rosary, daily.
Amado is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Pete, sisters Alice, Maggie, Priscilla and Rita.  He is survived by his much devoted wife, Jay.  Sons, Frank, Greg, & Patrick Sr.  Daughter and son-in-law, Georgette & Eddie Padilla.   His grandchildren, Marguerite Padilla, Raymond Castillo & Patrick Castillo, Jr.  He is further survived by his brother, Henry Castillo  and sisters, Grace Perezchica, Rosie Herrera, Alice Rael, Joyce Briceno, and Gloria Sandoval.  And his aunt Dora Sanchez.
A visitation will be held at Ivers and Alcorn Funeral Home in Merced, Thursday, February 14, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 p.m., at the Ivers and Alcorn Chapel. Mass will be held Friday, February 15, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Patricks Catholic Church, Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Dad may your "rewards in heaven" be plenty, you have earned them.  We will miss you dearly.
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