Alfred Fred" W. Castle

WORCESTER-Alfred "Fred" W. Castle, 75, passed away on November 4, 2009 at home after a two year courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Worcester, MA, Fred was the son of Alfred H. and Sylvia E. (Patenaude) Castle. He graduated from South High School and attended the former Worcester Junior College. He retired after forty years from MASS Electric Co. where he was employed as a first class cable splicer. He spent 8 years in the US Naval Reserve and 20 years in the USAF National Guard. He was a 3rd Degree member of Alhambra Council %2388 and a member of the 4th Degree Bishop O'Reilly Assembly. He was a member of Local 330 B.U.W. (Brotherhood of Utility Workers), a lifetime member of the Air Force Assn., and a lifetime member of the 313th Retirees Assn. He was formally a coach in Intermediate Baseball which later became the Babe Ruth League.
Fred was also actively involved with Boy Scouting for many years. He was a member of the Power Star Harmony Drum, Fife and Bugle Corps and Lieutenant Norman Prince Drum and Bugle Corps.

Fred is survived by his wife of 24 years, Janet D. (Judge) Castle. He is also survived by his 97 year old father, Alfred H. Castle of Worcester; his five children, Lucinda A. Arnold and her husband, Craig of North Brookfield, Karen M. Castle of Worcester, Alfred R. Castle and his wife, Sally of Worcester, William J. Castle of Colorado Springs, CO, and Brenda J. Castle-Rambarran of Worcester; fifteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. Fred's mother, Sylvia, passed away one month ago at the age of 96. His first wife, Frances A. (Crowley) died in 1984.

The family wishes to thank Dr. David Shepro and his staff for the compassionate care and support Fred received during his illness. Our gratitude is especially extended to Michelle Proos, the nurse practitioner, whose special care and concern helped Fred battle this terrible disease. We would also like to acknowledge the UMass Memorial Hospice for their sympathetic concern and respect provided to Fred with special thanks to his nurse, Paulette, and home health aide, Michael.

Visiting hours at the CALLAHAN & FAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 61 Myrtle St. Worcester, MA will be held Friday, November 6th from 6 to 8 PM. The funeral will be Saturday November 7th with a Mass at 10:00 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 341 June St., Worcester, MA. Burial will be at Worcester County Park in Paxton, MA. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Commonwealth Hematology and Oncology 299 Lincoln St., Worcester, MA 01605 or to UMass Memorial Hospice, 650 Lincoln St., Worcester, MA 01605. www.callahanfay.com