Philip Castellano jr.

Philip Castellano jr. passed away on September 19, 2025. He was 76 years old. In his
final years, Philip moved to Shrewsbury, Massachusetts to be closer to his daughter and
only grandchild. Born in NYC on July 9, 1949, to the late Philip P. and Rose
(Cammarota) Castellano, Philip was number three of four sons. Philip grew up in
Hauppauge, NY in a home that his father built.
Philip graduated from Hauppauge High School in 1967, he then went on to St. John's
University. After graduating, he attended New York Law School. Upon passing the bar
exam in 1976, he joined the Suffolk County District Attorney's office, where he would
remain an ADA for the next thirteen years. He went into private practice where he
retained his office in Nesconset, exactly one mile from his childhood home until his
retirement in September 2023. If you asked him, he never lost a case!
Philip lived in Smithtown for much of his adult life. It was here that he raised his two
children while playing and coaching men's league slow pitch softball. In 2018 he was
inducted into the USSSA New York State Hall of Fame as a coach.
Philip was an avid NY sports fan. He was always up to date on the scores and all the
stats of players for his teams. He loved the Yankees, Giants, Rangers, Knicks and of
course, St. John's basketball!
Philip is survived by his daughter, Jocelyn (Castellano) Laakso and grandson, Kyle
Laakso of Shrewsbury, MA. Philip is preceded in death by his son, Philip P. Castellano II
with whom he has been reunited. He is also survived by his bothers, Angelo, Michael
and Anthony, along with many nieces and nephews. Phil's favorite jacket was a worn-
out blackish/brown Easton pull over. He would joke with his daughter that he wanted to
be buried in it. Jocelyn has honored that wish. Philip will be sorely missed by all of those
that knew and loved him. Philip will be laid to rest at Smithtown Cemetery.