Robert D. Castelli

Robert Dominic Castelli, 96, of Essex, Maryland, formerly of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away on Sunday, October 11, 2020.  Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 2, 1924, he was one of four children of the late Francesco (Frank) and Concetta Castelli of Penns Grove, N.J.

Bob attended Penns Grove High School in New Jersey, where he was one of the top students.  He joined the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, and was stationed stateside for most of that time as a Technical Sargent.  Bob continued his military service through the Korean War Era, this time in the newly formed United States Air Force. 

After his service, Bob was employed with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in New York, and was eventually promoted to District Manager and moved the family to Hagerstown, Maryland.  Following his time in Hagerstown, Bob relocated to the Baltimore area for a new insurance assignment, and finally moved to the Wilmington, Delaware area where he worked as an insurance manager with Peoples Life for several years before retiring at age 63.

Bob was a member of St. John the Beloved Parish and a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.  He was an avid fan of Philadelphia and Baltimore sports teams, and enjoyed coaching Little League baseball in Hagerstown, Maryland.  He and his wife also enjoyed golf and playing cards.

His beloved wife of 62 years, Sarah A. (Roberts) Castelli, passed away on March 1, 2012.

Bob is survived by his sons, R. James Castelli, Thomas Castelli, Richard Castelli and wife, Emeline, and his sister, Dolores Pratta. 

He was predeceased by his brother, Frank Castelli and sister, Rita Castelli.

Family and friends are invited to the viewing at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Wednesday, October 21 from 5:00-7:00PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington on Thursday, October 22 at 9:30AM, immediately followed by interment in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bob may be made to the Knights of Columbus at, https://www.kofc.org/en//index.html, and/or the Gary Sinise Foundation at, https://www.garysinisefoundation.org

*PLEASE NOTE: Funeral arrangements for Bob will be conducted in compliance with COVID-19 directives, which require mandatory face masks, social distancing and monitored numbered attendance at the funeral home and church.

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