Obituary for Raphael Joseph "Ray" Castaldi
Raphael “Ray” Joseph Castaldi, 67, of Westerly, RI, sorrowfully passed May 17, 2022 after an
arduous fight with a liposarcoma. The last six months have been long and laborious for Ray and
his loved ones, but his passing was peaceful with family at his bedside. He was born in Washington, DC to Helen Castaldi and the late Joseph Castaldi.
If you know Ray, you know he was a man of the people...many people. He will be greatly
missed by his loving wife, Sandra, eldest daughter Stephanie (Jack) Szczepanki of Ewing, NJ,
son, Joseph (Mia) Castaldi of Westerly, RI, and youngest daughter, Elizabeth Castaldi of
Newport, RI. Ray was also an energetic and dedicated grandfather to 3 spirited grandsons,
Andy, Enzo, and Emmett. He was sadly predeceased by granddaughter Callie Mae. Family
always came first with Ray. Being the eldest of four, he became a leader at a young age. His
late brother David (Gina) Castaldi of Hamden, CT, sisters Joanne (Arti) Dixson of Orange, CT,
and Mary Beth Castaldi-Bowerman of North Haven, CT always looked up to Ray. They grew up
playing “mass” together where Ray would present Necco Wafers to each sibling in the
communion line at home. Faith has always been important to Ray because his father was an
ordained deacon in the Catholic church. Ray earned his undergraduate degree at Quinnipiac
and a master’s degree in theology at Providence College. He then followed in his father’s
footsteps when he was ordained a deacon at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in 2013.
If you were ever looking for Ray, he could be found at the golf course, boogie boarding at
Westerly Town Beach, leading the faith at Saint Mary’s or Saint James Chapel, enjoying a Bellini at the Cooked Goose, jogging at Wilcox Park, attending a show at PPAC with his wife, loudly cheering at Providence College basketball games, or spending quality time with his children and grandchildren. Ray had a plethora of talents and hobbies in addition to his self-made business, Castaldi Financial Solutions. He focused on wealth management, getting to know clients on a personal level and lived by his famous slogan: “plan well, live well”. Whether it be a family member, friend, client, parishioner, or acquaintance, every person he encountered said Ray made their life a little better. He was a walking ray of sunshine.
Services will be held at Saint James Chapel 2079 Matunuck School House Rd, Charlestown, RI.
Deacon Ray will be waked in the church on Friday May 20th 5-8pm and the funeral mass will be held at Saint James, Saturday May 21 1:00 PM. Burial will be private.
arduous fight with a liposarcoma. The last six months have been long and laborious for Ray and
his loved ones, but his passing was peaceful with family at his bedside. He was born in Washington, DC to Helen Castaldi and the late Joseph Castaldi.
If you know Ray, you know he was a man of the people...many people. He will be greatly
missed by his loving wife, Sandra, eldest daughter Stephanie (Jack) Szczepanki of Ewing, NJ,
son, Joseph (Mia) Castaldi of Westerly, RI, and youngest daughter, Elizabeth Castaldi of
Newport, RI. Ray was also an energetic and dedicated grandfather to 3 spirited grandsons,
Andy, Enzo, and Emmett. He was sadly predeceased by granddaughter Callie Mae. Family
always came first with Ray. Being the eldest of four, he became a leader at a young age. His
late brother David (Gina) Castaldi of Hamden, CT, sisters Joanne (Arti) Dixson of Orange, CT,
and Mary Beth Castaldi-Bowerman of North Haven, CT always looked up to Ray. They grew up
playing “mass” together where Ray would present Necco Wafers to each sibling in the
communion line at home. Faith has always been important to Ray because his father was an
ordained deacon in the Catholic church. Ray earned his undergraduate degree at Quinnipiac
and a master’s degree in theology at Providence College. He then followed in his father’s
footsteps when he was ordained a deacon at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in 2013.
If you were ever looking for Ray, he could be found at the golf course, boogie boarding at
Westerly Town Beach, leading the faith at Saint Mary’s or Saint James Chapel, enjoying a Bellini at the Cooked Goose, jogging at Wilcox Park, attending a show at PPAC with his wife, loudly cheering at Providence College basketball games, or spending quality time with his children and grandchildren. Ray had a plethora of talents and hobbies in addition to his self-made business, Castaldi Financial Solutions. He focused on wealth management, getting to know clients on a personal level and lived by his famous slogan: “plan well, live well”. Whether it be a family member, friend, client, parishioner, or acquaintance, every person he encountered said Ray made their life a little better. He was a walking ray of sunshine.
Services will be held at Saint James Chapel 2079 Matunuck School House Rd, Charlestown, RI.
Deacon Ray will be waked in the church on Friday May 20th 5-8pm and the funeral mass will be held at Saint James, Saturday May 21 1:00 PM. Burial will be private.