Michael Angelo Castagnola

Michael (Mike) Angelo Castagnola, 73, a resident and native of San Diego, passed away on August 22, 2023. Following almost two years of declining health due to a stroke, he passed away peacefully in his sleep, as was his wish.

Michael was born on April 8, 1950 to Angelo and Edna Castagnola and was the youngest of three children. Michael lost his mother early in life and as the son of a widowed commercial fisherman, he was raised in part by his aunts and divided his childhood years between San Diego and Peru. He first met the love of his life, Rose, in grammar school at Washington Elementary and they reunited as teenagers and began their epic love story.

In 1969 Michael and Rose were married just before he was drafted to the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He served as an antenna man running communication lines in Ethiopia. Upon honorable discharge from the Army he followed in his father’s footsteps and became a commercial tuna fisherman. He traveled the Pacific Ocean many times over and always had an admiration of boats of all kinds and a strong love of the sea.

Michael and Rose welcomed their first daughter, Linda, in 1977 followed by their youngest daughter, Lisa, in 1982. After retiring from fishing, Michael worked as a landscaper for San Diego Unified School District for over 20 years. He enjoyed being outdoors and putting in a hard day’s work and said his favorite part of gardening was admiring the finished outcome of his labor.

In his younger days he was described as the “life of the party” and was a great dancer, titling himself “The Cumbia King” for his smooth moves to the Latin dance. He also enjoyed surfing, sailing, playing cards, and riding motorcycles. In his later years he enjoyed quietly watching football, kept his turntable and notable collection of vinyl records of his hay day close by, and continued his love of Latin music.

The road was not always easy for Michael, but through the challenges he worked hard and always provided for his family, whom he loved and made sure they knew it, never ending a phone call or visit without saying “I love you.” The absence of his stoic presence leaves a significant void.

Michael is survived by his daughters Linda Castagnola, Lisa (Scott Hunter) Castagnola, his former wife Rose Castagnola, his sister Linda Bacca, his nieces and nephews and two step grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his infant son Angelo, and his sister and best friend Marissa.

The Castagnola family would like to thank the staff of Hidden Glenn Senior Living of Escondido for taking excellent care of Michael in his final months. Services will take place at Ft. Rosecrans on September 14th, 2023 at 2:00pm.