Worcester – Raymond A. “Papa” Castell, 90, a longtime Worcester resident, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 26th in the Odd Fellows Home after an illness.
Raymond is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lillian Georgiana (Liberty) Castell; his youngest son James Francis Castell of Worcester; a sister Anita Seaver of Richcreek, VA; a beloved daughter in law, Patricia Gail (Hill) Castell; 9 grandchildren, Ron Paul Castell of Worcester, Debra Jean Castell Miett and her husband Scott of Barre, Gerald Wayne “Jay” Castell and his wife Jennifer (Stafford) of Westfield, MA and Jay’s mother Kathy Castell Mello of Longs, SC, Jennifer Healey Snaith and her husband Sean of Georgetown, SC and Jen’s mom, Mary Healey of Worcester, Melissa Anne (Morin) Beaudoin and Patrick Casey Beaudoin of Worcester, Christina Marie Morin of Worcester, David James Mancini of Worcester and his mom, Anne Jenkins, Jarod and Dylan Castell and their mom, Traci (Hyland) Castell of Westboro; 12 great grandchildren, Stephanie Healey, Margo Pearl Gelardi, Kristen and Stephanie Sylvester, Andrew Raymond Miett, Jacob Nathaniel Miett, Madison Gail Miett, Alexandra Casey Beaudoin, Tyler Patrick Beaudoin, Joshua and Jase Castell and Allison Mancini; a great great granddaughter Allyiah Marie Keefe and many nephews and nieces including, Anita Mikat of Worcester, Kim Wasiak of Richcreek, VA, Jonathan Mikat of NC, Herbert, Donald, Roger and Leo Castell.
Mr. Castell was born in Leicester, MA son of the late George William and Laura (Dupre) Castell and spent a brief amount of time in Lowell, where he met and married his wife Lillian. He is predeceased by two sons, David Paul Castell who died in 2008 and Gerald Wayne “Jay” Castell who died in 1977; a daughter, Donna-Rae Marie Morin who died 1999; a granddaughter Theresa Marie Castell Sylvester and her son Joshua James Castell as well as two other great grandchildren, Erica and Mariah Mancini. His three brothers; Ernest, Leo and Edmund Castell and a sister Ida Sullivan also predecease him.
He worked as machinist for 21 years at Lodding Engineering, which is now Kadant Solutions Division in Auburn and retired in 1984. Raymond was a member of Our Lady of the Rosary Church, the Greendale Retired Men’s Club, The Golden Agers Bowling league and the Auburn Ten Pin Senior Bowling League where he was the recipient of many trophies. Mr. Castell golfed with his friends from Lodding Engineering, making a hole in one, and received the Johnnie Walker International Hole in One Award in 1987, an achievement of which he was most proud. He also played softball during his younger days.
Ray enjoyed “puttering” in his workshop and made countless doll chairs for all of the children and grandchildren in his family. He also extended his “puttering” to fixing lawn mowers, bicycles and many other things. He affectionately became known as the “Mr. Fix It Man” and will be sadly missed by all of his family and friends.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Odd Fellows Home, especially, Elaine Peter who showed so much care and compassion for Ray and his family. They would also like to thank Lou Ellen Barry of the Beacon Hospice Program and took excellent care of Mr. Castell. He is now in the loving arms of Jesus and thanks to Rev. Patrick Hawthorne’s quick response to the family’s request for the Anointing of the Sick Sacrament.
The funeral will be held on Monday, July 30th from the Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home 12 Hammond Street with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM in Our Lady of the Rosary Church 25 Fales St. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery. A calling hour will be held on Monday, from 9 to 10 before the funeral in the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Our Lady of the Rosary Church 23 Fales Street Worcester, MA 01606 or Odd Fellows Home Patient Activity Fund 104 Randolph Rd. Worcester, MA 01606.
To share a memory of Ray with his family or for directions please visit www.Royfuneral.com