Mr Joseph LeRoy Castanos

Joseph LeRoy Castanos, age 90, passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on Monday December 10, 2018. He was born on August 8, 1928 in Fresno, California to Joseph and Anita Castanos.
Joe grew up in Fresno California where he was the youngest of five siblings. He attended Roosevelt High School where he excelled in track and field and was elected student body president.

After graduating from Roosevelt, Joe enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 17 with the consent of his mother. During his time in the Corps, Joe won several M1 rifle sharp shooting competitions.

Upon completion of his military service, Joe returned home where he enrolled at Fresno State. It was during this time that Joe met the love of his life, Theresa Wathen. It was truly love at first sight. They were engaged and married in less than a year. They raised six children; Susan, Michael, Kevin, Craig, Karen, and Peter. Unfortunately, Susan passed away at age 4 from cancer. This would be one of Joe’s greatest challenges in life. Joe and Theresa celebrated their 66 wedding anniversary in 2016.

Joe began his business career working as an underwriting agent for Industrial Indemnity in the workers compensation department. He left there to form a general agency insurance partnership with Preston Diamond. Like everything else in his life, Joe approached his career with hard work and determination to succeed. He retired after over 40 years in the insurance business that began in 1955.

Joe was also very active in his community. He volunteered his time with several organizations such as the YMCA, Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts just to name a few. However, it would be Joe’s time and dedication to the Serra Club that meant the most to him. Through his volunteer efforts, it would quickly become his primary mission to encourage and support the ordination of men to the priesthood. It could be said that Serra Club was one of Joe’s biggest achievements.

Joe’s greatest joy in life was time spent with his family and friends.
He was very devoted to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They all loved the time Grandpa Joe spent with them attending their many sporting events, performances, graduations and summers at the family cabin in Shaver Lake.

Joe is preceded in death by his wife Theresa, his brothers Edward, Robert and his sisters Isabel and Katherine.

Joe is survived by his son Michael Castanos and his wife Janet, son Kevin Castanos, son Craig Castanos and his wife Lori, daughter Karen Lowart and husband Brett, and son Peter Castanos and his wife Monique, his 16 grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and 26 nephews and nieces. Joe is the brother-in-law of Patricia Wathen, Doreen Wathen and Carol Wathen.

A rosary will be recited at 7 pm Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Saint Anthony of Padua Church of Fresno. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 4, 2019 at St. Anthony of Padua Church at 10 am. Interment will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Remembrances: The Serra Club of Fresno, 3148 Willow Ave. Suite 102, Clovis, California 93612.