Kenneth R. Castino, 78, of Dartmouth, died at home February 11, 2019, surrounded by his loving family. He was the loving husband of Joan F. (Roza) Castino, to whom he had been married for 56 years.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Emerson B. and Gertrude M. (Lawrence) Castino, he lived in Dartmouth for the past 27 years. He was a graduate of New Bedford Vocational High School.
Mr. Castino was formerly employed as a driver for UPS for 30 years until his retirement.
Dad enjoyed years of traveling with Mom in their R.V., especially their many trips to Florida. He enjoyed weekly drives to the beach as well as to the Cape Cod Canal. One of his most treasured memories was in 2016, when he and Mom took their children and grandchildren to Walt Disney World for a family vacation during Thanksgiving.
In years prior, Dad enjoyed the many Sunday gatherings at their home where we ate and laughed at the many stories told over and over again. Dad, or better known as Papa, spent countless hours at the baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, attending school plays and grandparent events. He was our biggest fan!
I remember in September 2018, Dad had a chemo treatment in the morning and immediately drove two hours so he wouldn't miss a Grandparent's Day in the afternoon. Dad was very strong-minded, and a stubborn man but family was his pride and joy.
Dad was known for his compassion for animals, from helping a turtle safely across the road to feeding the stray cats in the neighborhood or the many times he would take care of our family pets so his children and grandchildren could enjoy a vacation. He was always there to help.
Dad took pride in his hobbies. He was very skilled at woodworking and made us numerous things over the years. He could harvest a heck of a garden and shared the abundance. Dad could fix anything, a self-taught trait that over the years has benefited us all. There wasn't a failed Christmas light strand that could defeat him. He definitely was a "Jack of all Trades."
As we reflect our father's life, please know that his biggest reward was taking care of his family. Thank you Dad/Papa for your countless acts of generosity. You truly are the definition of selfless. We will miss and love you forever!
We would also like to thank Community Nurse Home Care for their compassion and care during his illness.
He is survived by his wife, Joan, and his children, Gary Castino of New Bedford, Kevin Castino and his fiancée Denise Laubenstein of Dartmouth, Lisa Castino-Sacchetti and her husband Steven of Haverhill, and the late Kenneth R. Castino, Jr. He was the loving Papa to Jocelyn, Kyle, Joshua, and Kevin Castino Jr., Alexandrea Castino and her husband Frank, Dana Burgo Jr., Aleksa, Gianna, and Jayda Sacchetti; and loving great-grandfather to Landon Tetreault. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Evelyn Castino, Gertrude Crowell, Marjorie Miller, Ida Bithoney, Nancy Johansen, Emerson Castino Jr., Raymond Castino and Robert Castino.
His Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday February 19, 2019 at 11 AM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Monday February 18, 2019 from 4-8 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.