REFUGIO T. CASTILLO
Tue, 2016-06-21 21:45
News Staff
Refugio T. Castillo of Pharr passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2016, at the age of 90. He was better known as “Cuco” to all his friends, and “coach” to all the kids he coached for so many years. He was a loving husband and father. He was born on July 4, 1925 in Cameron, Texas, in the county of Milam, to Apolonio Castillo and Sotera Tobias, and was the sixth-born child. He came to Pharr at the age of 15 and made it his home. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carmen Z. Castillo in March of this year. and by two of his brothers, Juan and Nasario in June and August of 2015. He is survived by his children, Erasmo (Deanna), Ramiro (Manuela), Maria Esmelda Borden (Lonnie) and Refugio “Cuki” (Noemi). He left behind seven grandchildren, David, Cathy, Ramiro Jr., Roel, Richard, Darcell, and Nia; and two great-grandchildren, Derek and Jazlyn Gutierrez. He is also survived by a sister, Jesusa Ortiz from San Antonio; and countless nephews and nieces from Michigan and Donna, Texas. Refugio worked for TxDOT for 37 years until his retirement in 1986. He was better known to many people as Coach Castillo. He coached for over 20 years in the Pharr Bronco League in which time he managed and coached one team that he took to Division play in Marietta, Georgia in 1971, and another that he took to Lafayette, Louisiana in 1977. In 1987, the city of Pharr honored him by naming a field at Witten Park after him. Refugio’s family knew him as a patient man with a great disposition and a likeable character. He was his family’s comfort and their inspiration up to his death. He was their rock. He will truly be missed. Visitation was held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary Sunday, June 19, 2016, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral mass took place at 10 a.m. Monday, June 20, 2016, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Pharr. Interment followed at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr. Pallbearers were members of the 1971 and 1977 playoff teams: Pete Bazan, Xavier Avendano, Filiberto Esparza, Ike Flores, Rene Sanchez and Robbie Flores; Gilbert Salinas, Arturo Santa Maria, Aaron Santa Maria, Roel Garza, Eleazar Xavier Romero and Eddie Serna. Honorary pallbearers were all those he coached and mentored throughout the years. Funeral services were under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.