Joseph A. Castillo

Former State Senator Joseph A. Castillo passed away in the comfort of his home on Saturday, May 28, 2016. He is survived by his loving wife Dorothy of 64 years and their loving family namely their four children Steve (Kristy), Dorthina (Jean Patrick), Karl (Barbara Mendizabal) and Eric (Charlene). He and Dorothy have 9 Grandchildren and 3 Great-Grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Rita, brothers Phillip (Patsy) and Paul (Andrea) and Trini Quiroz, his only surviving aunt, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was born December 26, 1933 in Santa Monica, CA. The family moved to Belen, New Mexico when he was 5 yrs. old to the family farm before moving to Tucson in 1943 when he was 10 yrs. old. He married Dorothy in 1952 and in 1958 he founded Astro Blueprint & Supply, INC., a reproduction, drafting/engineering supply company, one of two minority owned business in Arizona that was family operated. He sold the business in 1992. He loved the great state of Arizona and held multiple elected offices. First as a South Tucson City Councilman from 1961-1966 and was Acting Mayor. He also was a Volunteer Fireman and Chairman of the Housing Authority when he brought the first pub...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

housing to town. He later was elected the first Hispanic to the Arizona State Senate and served from 1967-1972. He was then elected to the Pima County Board of Supervisors in 1973-1976 and became the first Hispanic to serve as Chairman of the Board. In 1988 he was a member of Arizona Delegation for the United States Electoral College. From 1994-2003 until he retired he was President and CEO of the Grand Canyon Minority Supplier Development Council, a non-profit, nationally affiliated organization dedicated to certifying minority businesses and providing contracting opportunities by corporate members. He served as a volunteer and was President of the Beatitudes Auxiliary from 2009-2013. Funeral service at 10:00 AM Saturday June 4, 2016 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Parish, 4715 N. Central, Phoenix 85012, followed by burial at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix 85008. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to the Beatitudes Auxiliary at beatitudescampus.org/auxiliary or Hospice of the Valley at hov.org. Our family extends our deepest gratitude to all his doctors and medical caregivers, as well as family and friends. Visit https://hansenmortuary.wpengine.comfor condolences.