1925
Refugio
2016
Refugio Castillo
July 4, 1925 — June 16, 2016
REFUGIO T. CASTILLO
Refugio T. Castillo of Pharr passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2016, at the age of 90. He was better known as “Cuco” to all his friends and “coach” to all the kids he coached for so many years. He was a loving husband and father.
He was born on July 4, 1925 in Cameron, Texas in the county of Milam, to Apolonio Castillo and Sotera Tobias and was 6th born child. He came to Pharr at the age of 15 and made it his home. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carmen Z. Castillo in March of this year and by two of his brothers, Juan and Nasario in June and August of 2015. He is survived by his children, Erasmo (Deanna), Ramiro (Manuela), Maria Esmelda Borden (Lonnie) and Refugio “Cuki” (Noemi). He left behind seven grandchildren, David, Cathy, Ramiro Jr., Roel, Richard, Darcell, and Nia; and two great-grandchildren, Derek and Jazlyn Gutierrez. He is also survived by a sister, Jesusa Ortiz from San Antonio; and countless nephews and nieces from Michigan and Donna, Texas.
Refugio worked for TXDOT for 37 years until his retirement in 1986. He was better known to many people as Coach Castillo. He coached for over 20 years in the Pharr Bronco League in which time he managed and coached one team that he took to Division play in Marietta, Georgia in 1971, and another that he took to Lafayette, Louisiana in 1977. In 1987 the city of Pharr honored him by naming a field at Witten Park after him.
Our father was a patient man with a great disposition and a likeable character. He was our comfort and our inspiration up to his death. He was our rock. We will truly miss him.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary Sunday, June 19, 2016, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, June 20, 2016, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Pharr. Interment will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr.
Pallbearers will be members of the 1971 and 1977 playoff teams: Pete Bazan, Xavier Avendano, Filiberto Esparza, Ike Flores, Rene Sanchez and Robbie Flores; Gilbert Salinas, Arturo Santa Maria, Aaron Santa Maria, Roel Garza, Eleazar Xavier Romero and Eddie Serna.
Honorary pallbearers will be all those he coached and mentored throughout the years and who are encouraged to accompany him to his place of rest.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.
Refugio T. Castillo of Pharr passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2016, at the age of 90. He was better known as “Cuco” to all his friends and “coach” to all the kids he coached for so many years. He was a loving husband and father.
He was born on July 4, 1925 in Cameron, Texas in the county of Milam, to Apolonio Castillo and Sotera Tobias and was 6th born child. He came to Pharr at the age of 15 and made it his home. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carmen Z. Castillo in March of this year and by two of his brothers, Juan and Nasario in June and August of 2015. He is survived by his children, Erasmo (Deanna), Ramiro (Manuela), Maria Esmelda Borden (Lonnie) and Refugio “Cuki” (Noemi). He left behind seven grandchildren, David, Cathy, Ramiro Jr., Roel, Richard, Darcell, and Nia; and two great-grandchildren, Derek and Jazlyn Gutierrez. He is also survived by a sister, Jesusa Ortiz from San Antonio; and countless nephews and nieces from Michigan and Donna, Texas.
Refugio worked for TXDOT for 37 years until his retirement in 1986. He was better known to many people as Coach Castillo. He coached for over 20 years in the Pharr Bronco League in which time he managed and coached one team that he took to Division play in Marietta, Georgia in 1971, and another that he took to Lafayette, Louisiana in 1977. In 1987 the city of Pharr honored him by naming a field at Witten Park after him.
Our father was a patient man with a great disposition and a likeable character. He was our comfort and our inspiration up to his death. He was our rock. We will truly miss him.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary Sunday, June 19, 2016, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, June 20, 2016, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Pharr. Interment will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr.
Pallbearers will be members of the 1971 and 1977 playoff teams: Pete Bazan, Xavier Avendano, Filiberto Esparza, Ike Flores, Rene Sanchez and Robbie Flores; Gilbert Salinas, Arturo Santa Maria, Aaron Santa Maria, Roel Garza, Eleazar Xavier Romero and Eddie Serna.
Honorary pallbearers will be all those he coached and mentored throughout the years and who are encouraged to accompany him to his place of rest.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Refugio Castillo, please visit our flower store.
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Monday, June 20, 2016
St. Anne's Catholic Chruch
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