Anthony J. (Tony) Castano, 69, of West Yarmouth, formerly of Brockton, passed away on April 12, surrounded by the love of his family, after a most courageous battle against cancer.

Born on June 10, 1954 in Brockton, MA, he was the son of the late Gregorio A. Castano and Maria Fossella Castano. He was also predeceased by his loving wife, Marjorie Mullen Castano. Tony leaves behind his brother Gregory Castano and sister-in-law Marianne Castano of Stoneham, his sister Rosanne Williams and brother-in-law Don Williams of Dennis, his beloved nieces Francesca Williams, Bianca Williams, Nina Castano, and Nicole Castano, and countless aunts, uncles, sister- and brother-in laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends, all of whom were near and dear to his heart.

Tony attended University of Miami and Salem State College, and was employed by Reebok for many years before retiring on the Cape and working at Bayberry Hills Golf Club in Yarmouth. Tony was always at home on a golf course. As a young boy growing up in Brockton, Tony worked the carts and caddied. He loved being back working on a course these last 5 years. Over his lifetime, Tony played more rounds of golf than one could count. He loved the beauty, the challenge and the camaraderie.

When Tony wasn't with his family, on the golf course, or being the voracious reader that he was, he was off to see the world. The consummate traveler, Tony was particularly proud of his very first trip – a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean from Italy to America on the Andrea Doria ocean liner. He loved to tell the punchline of that story – that his mother was 7 months pregnant with him and he was born 2 months after arriving in America. Tony's travels would take him, months at a time, to explore faraway lands, opening his heart and mind to the culture, the history, and the people. He would return with new wisdom, a satiated intellectual curiosity, and many new friends. Tony made friends wherever he went, the most special of which were the elephants he cared for at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand where he stayed several times over the years.

Tony was sharp-witted and always made us laugh. He had a smile for everyone, passed judgment on no one, and accepted you as a friend, just the way you were. A brave and courageous man, he will be missed beyond measure. As was said in Timothy 4:7-8, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Please join us for a celebration of a life well lived. Calling hours will be Monday, April 22, 2024 from 9-10:30am at Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont Street, Brockton, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 433 West Street, Brockton, MA. Burial will immediately follow at Melrose Cemetery in Brockton, MA.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Elephant Nature Park .