A Loving Tribute

Matteo Paul Castigliego, 87, of Holly Lane passed away on May 31, 2020 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Bristol, the son of Anna and Nicola Castigliego, he was of Italian and Portuguese ancestry.  Matteo lived his entire life in this southern New England town where his family bonds predominated his entire life.  Curly haired and bright, young “Piccodeal”, affectionately known as Sonny by his grandmother Louise, learned the family trade but not at the sacrifice of his academics.

Matteo was a graduate of Colt Memorial High School and then served in the US Army while stationed in Kentucky. Upon his return, he carried forward the Castigliego family seafood business.

Matteo’s physical abilities were evident as a teenage gymnast and later on as an avid swimmer who enjoyed swimming in Narragansett Bay and at the YMCA.  He then took up golf as a hobby which he excelled at with many winning performances.  Nearing middle age, along with some of his friends from Bristol, he trained and became a marathon runner completing several “26ers”. 

Early on he became a lobsterman, continuing with the maritime tradition of weaving nets, setting and maintaining lobster pots in Narragansett Bay while out on the family boats the “Bristol” and the “Matteo”, which was named after the patriarch immigrant from the eastern coast of Italy.

The eldest of three generations, Matteo maintained family traditions while his ingenuity expanded the Castigliego Brother’s fish businesses to include distribution in Massachusetts and Connecticut as well as Rhode Island.  He passed on this family identity to a new generation of Castigliego’s.

Matteo built a home in Bristol in the early 1960’s with his bride from Warren, Rita. Matteo and Rita met dancing and in life as well as on the dance floor they were beautifully matched. Together they raised and educated three daughters and one son where Matteo’s generosity blossomed both professionally and with his family. He was extremely proud of his six grandchildren who will remember his wisdom, seafood dinners and the life of a proud, respectful, strong, hardworking, successful man and endearing Granpa. A patriotic town citizen and generous parishioner of his faith, Matteo’s enduring legacy is to his family.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rita (Cardoza) Castigliego. He was the father of JoAnn Castigliego Sanchez, Nicholas “Butch” Castigliego, Donna Castigliego Vella Brown, Lauren Castigliego Piluso and grandfather of Gabriel Castigliego Sanchez, Benjamin Castigliego Sanchez, Paul Vella, Jenna Vella, Mia Piluso and Nicolas Piluso. Matteo was the brother of Anthony Castigliego, Nicholas Castigliego, Raymond Castigliego and Lois Castigliego Ferreira.

We miss him dearly. He lives on in our hearts and minds. Always. 

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial, Wednesday, June 3rd, 11 AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 141 State Street.  Burial will follow in North Burial Ground.  Please note that the State of Rhode Island guidelines for social distancing and mask use will be followed.

Memorial donations may be made to: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church  141 State Street, Bristol RI   02809 or Visiting Nurse Home & Hospice  1184 East Main Road  Portsmouth, RI 02871.