Richard Salvatore Castiglione, 86, of North Branford passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Yale New Haven Hospital after being stricken at home. He was the beloved husband of Carmela Candelora Castiglione, and they would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in June. Richard was born in New Haven on June 22, 1937, lived in Florida, then West Haven where he graduated High School. He attended CT School of Electronics & was the son of the late Eugene and Teresina “Tessie” Giuliano Castiglione.
He served his country faithfully in the U.S. Army. A professional photographer for many years, Richard was the owner and operator of Castiglione Photography. He photographed numerous weddings, family events and Field Hockey Team portraits which preserved their family memories for years to come. He was the former owner of the Shell Gas Station on the corner of Campbell Ave. & Elm St. in West Haven & had worked for AT&T until retiring as a technician.
Richard (fondly nicknamed Stiggy) was a member of many organizations, including: Knights of Columbus of Guilford, New Haven Sportsman’s Club, New Haven Elks Lodge, NRA, USATT (U.S.A. Table Tennis), Past President of CT Professional Photographers Association (CTPPA), North Guilford Archery Club & a member of APA (American Pool Association).
Richard also volunteered for many local organizations including: North Branford Park & Rec Summer Camp – teaching Magic Tricks, Yo-Yo, and Table Tennis (Ping Pong), a member of North Haven Camera Club, taught photography at local Camera clubs throughout the New Haven area, and taught Professional Photographers across the country, photographed many North Branford sports teams, children with Santa at the North Branford Firehouses and St. Augustine Church. He was nationally ranked in the USTTA. He competed in Table Tennis in the Senior Olympics for 27 years in a row winning gold and silver medals in Single and Double competitions & sponsored North Branford Little League teams.
From the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), Richard became a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) after receiving his Photographic Craftsman Degree.
Father of Laura (Sabatino) Parisi (Robert), Annette Schettino (Gary) and Stephen Castiglione. Papa of Gregory Schettino (Alex) and Michael Schettino as well as first Cousin Elaine Costello, who was like a sister. Also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and close friends. Predeceased by brothers John (Costello) Castiglione, Alberto (Costello) Castiglione, Raymond Castiglione, Eugene Castiglione and sisters Geraldine DeAngelis, Gloria Koehler & Dolores Cappella.
Visiting hours were Thursday, March 21 at The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at St. Ambrose Parish at St. Augustine Church, 30 Caputo Road, North Branford. Interment with full military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery. The family would like to thank all the volunteers & staff at the North Branford Ambulance and Fire Department – Company 1 and the Yale Campus Emergency Room Staff. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the North Branford Fire and Emergency Services, in Memory of Richard Castiglione, make check payable to NBFD, Company One, P.O. Box 537, North Branford, CT 06471.