Willow Glen Resident

Community

Farmer, developer Joseph Castello had a passion for his community

By Lisa Neves Woldt

Joseph Vincent Castello was a man known to move fast and work hard. From local farmer to commercial property developer, Castello put down roots in Willow Glen that would sustain his family for generations to come.

After a long illness, Castello died Nov. 8 at age 94.

"He was a very vital man," said his daughter Eileen Marino, "and he really liked country music."

He was particularly fond of Willie Nelson, according to his eldest son, Raymond, who added that his father was very energetic, ran everywhere and did everything fast.

"I guess you would label him 'hyper' today," he said.

During the funeral service at St. Christopher's Church, Monsignor James Walsh said, "Joe was well prepared for his transition from this life to eternal life."

Castello was vital and vibrant well into his 80s. He supervised farms and taught farm workers until he was almost 90, said his son. "He liked to golf, but his passion was farming," his son said.

Joseph Vincent Castello was born March 16, 1912, in San Jose. His parents, Oracio and Domenica Castello, emigrated to California in 1900 from Sicily. Castello was born on Vine Street, which was then considered Willow Glen. He had three siblings, a sister, Pauline, who survives, and two brothers, Anthony and Julius, who died previously.

His father bought farmland and a cannery in Campbell when Castello was very young. Raymond Castello said his father, at age 6, liked to "work" at the cannery putting lids into the canning machines.

At age 6, young Joseph lost his father to the Spanish flu, a plague that killed 21 million victims between 1918 and 1819.

Walsh said Castello probably never got into trouble as a youth. "Back then you were always working," he said. "There was just so much to do."

By age 12, Castello was farming fruits and vegetables after school and summers at the family farm on Leigh Avenue in Campbell.

Castello attended elementary schools in Willow Glen and Campbell. A big fan of baseball, he played for Campbell High School, graduating in 1931. He furthered his education at San José State University, where he spent two years studying to be a foreign language teacher before leaving to help support his family.

In 1936, he married Josephine Marie Gallina. That same year the family acquired 18 acres of land on Lincoln Avenue, growing prunes, cherries and walnuts. The land is now occupied by Lincoln Village condominiums, although the family still retains commercial property in the area.

Castello and his wife had three children who graduated from Willow Glen High School, and who remember their father as a very loving and generous man.

"He taught me how to drive trucks and tractors when I was 9 years old," said son Raymond.

Castello also remembers how his father enjoyed watching high school baseball games in the field opposite their home on Dry Creek Road.

The elder Castello was also instrumental in the founding of St. Christopher Parish. A barn on the family's Lincoln Avenue property served as the site for what would become the church. Every Saturday the barn had to be cleaned out before Sunday masses. Marino says the barn was the site of her first communion.

In 1947 Castello became a real estate broker, eventually helping other farmers relocate from Santa Clara County to newer farms in the San Joaquin Valley.

Castello's family learned much from his success. During vigil services on Nov. 12, granddaughter Paula Linderman said, "He was never shy about giving us his opinion on how to conduct ourselves in every aspect from education, jobs to general life experiences. In the end, it was always excellent advice."

Castello is survived by his sister Pauline Teresi, his three children, Raymond of Willow Glen, Eileen Marino of Tracy and Linda Orr of Sacramento, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.