Tommy passed away quietly in his sleep at St. Louise Hospital in Gilroy on December 14. He is survived by Loa Castro, his wife of 59 years,and sister, Mary (Jim) Duncan, of Gilroy; children: Gordon (Cindy) Castro of San Jose, Dennis Castro of Newman, Richard (Susan) Castro, and Patty (Dan) Alvarez of Gilroy; brother-in-law G.B. Smith of Gilroy; and his lifelong friend, Richard Masoni of Gilroy. He also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Tony, Eddie, and Manuel Castro, sister Lena Coutinho, grandson Aaron Castro, and brother-in-law Sonny Smith.
Tommy was born in Tracy, CA. His family moved to Gilroy when he was 9 and he attended St. Mary’s School and Gilroy High School. He served in the Army during WWII. Tommy worked most of his life as a dairyman and retired as a molder for Gilroy Foundry. He was active in the local Moose Lodge and the Gilroy IFDES Lodge, where he also served as president for two years. He also grew pumpkins for local competitions.
Tommy was an avid motorcyclist. He was a member of the Gilroy Knights and the California Sightseers Motorcycle Clubs, and also raced motorcycles in his heydey. He enjoyed that his love of motorcycles was carried on to his many offspring. Tommy had a generous spirit and will be remembered by all whose lives he touched.
Memorial donations may be made to the Gilroy Little League Ball Park Fund on his behalf.
Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Church at 1 P.M. on Thursday, December 21. Inurnment services will be on Friday, December 22, at 1:00 P.M. at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, Gustine.
