Nicholas Castelli, 101, of Leesburg, FL, passed away on Monday, April 23, 2018. Born on July 22, 1916, in Capels, WV, to Onofrio and Angelina (Bonono) Castelli, he spent his childhood in Capels, then moved with his family to Brooklyn, New York.
In 1942 as an enlisted man with the US Army Air Corp he was stationed in Leesburg, FL, where he did sheet metal work on warplanes. In 1943 he met Helen (Lynch) and they married a year later and established their lives in Leesburg.
In 1946 when he was discharged from the Army he and Clarence Burleson started B & C Body and Paint Shop, which is still owned by his son Peter. Nick was a member and past president of the Leesburg Lions Club, a member of the Elks Club, and a charter member of St. Paul Catholic Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards with his buddies.
Nick and Helen (deceased 1971) had three children Nikki (Gary Lee) Hoort, Toni Atkins and Peter (Kris) Castelli; six grandchildren: Sola, Clayton, Todd (Skyelar), Melissa (Steve), Troy (Kristi) and Nicholas; and seven great-grandchildren.
In 2003 Nick married Elsie (Polly) Arnold Lynch and became Pop to her children Mark, Molly (Jesse), Michael and Melissa (Orlando); and 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
The memorial service will be Saturday, June 23, 2018, 11 a.m., at Beyers Funeral Home, Leesburg, FL.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Lions Club International Foundation or the charity of your choice.
