Francis Leonard Castillo

Francis Leonard Castillo

1931-2021

Francis Leonard Castillo, age 90, a resident of Belen, passed away peacefully in the presence of family early on April 21, 2022. He was born on July 25, 1931, in Belen.

Francis is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Regina T. Castillo; father, Ricardo C. Castillo; mother, Mary D. Castillo-Kuhn; sister, Gloria C. Kadison; and brother, Lotario “Leo” Castillo.

He is survived by his brother, Dr. Robert Castillo; children, Joseph Castillo (Selina), Patricia Cornez (Rick), Paula Castillo (Terry Mulert), Richard Castillo (Emily) and Mary Bueno; 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Francis graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute in 1949, and attended the University of New Mexico for two years. He received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy from Sen. Dennis Chavez in 1951. Francis graduated from the Naval Academy in 1955 and began pilot training in the U.S. Air Force.

He subsequently spent two years in Samsun, Turkey, assigned to intelligence operations. Francis became fluent in Turkish. He returned to the states and married his college sweetheart, Regina DeHardit, on Nov. 16, 1957, and was then transferred to the Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Francis resigned his commission as a lieutenant and moved to Belen to start his family and his business. He began in business with a Standard Oil service station that he operated on Main Street for four years. Francis and Regina built their home in Rosedale Circle, where they raised their five children.

In 1963, he bought an 8-yard dump truck and a small tractor and began in the fill-dirt business. Francis and his father, Ricardo, also undertook building demolition work in Valencia County where he recycled brick and lumber.

He began Castillo Sand & Gravel in 1965 with a 1931 screening plant that he rebuilt and erected in Veguita. In 1975, Francis entered the cement ready-mix business alongside his sand and gravel business.  He subsequently added concrete products, in particular cattle guards and concrete barriers.

Francis’s son, Richard, a civil and structural engineer, joined him in business in 1991, who then took the company into large projects involving advanced concrete forms and pre-stressed concrete.

He and Regina celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2007. They enjoyed traveling together to concrete trade shows and were rarely out of each other’s sight. Not only was Francis a loyal husband and loving father, but he will forever be remembered as a person who helped anyone in need.

Intention Masses were celebrated on Friday, April 22, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, with additional Masses at 12 p.m., Sunday July 17, and 10 a.m., Sunday July 24.

Interment times are to be announced at a later date.

Please sign Francis’ online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.