John Castano

Former Coudersport resident Capt. John B. Castano, (U.S. Navy, Ret.) of New Bern, N.C., died on Thursday May 10, 2007, at his home following a long battle with cancer.

He was born in Coudersport on June 8, 1938; the son of Frank and Elizabeth Castano. A 1956 graduate of Coudersport High School, he earned his U.S. Navy commission and graduated from Villanova University in 1960.

He then attended the Sloan School of Management at MIT and held a master of science degree from George Washington University. He was a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus.

A 26-year veteran of naval service, he retired in July 1986. Specializing in destroyer operations, he served in various billets onboard the USS Bordelon, USS Goodrich, USS O'Hare and, finally as Commanding Officer of USS William M. Wood.

His shore duty assignments included a seven-year tour of duty at the Pentagon, where he held the positions of Secretary of the U.S. Navy Uniform Board, Current Operations Officer on the Staff of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Executive Secretary of the Chief of Naval Operations for JCS Matters, and a Senior Aide to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations.

Other shore duty assignments included combat service in Vietnam, duty on the staff of Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Forces in Norfolk, Va., graduation from U.S. Navy Destroyer School and the junior and senior courses at the Naval War College. He is the author of the Naval Officer's Uniform Guide, published in 1975.

Upon his retirement, he and his family moved to New Bern, where he and his wife built and operated Trent Wood True Value Hardware.

Captain Castano is survived by his mother, who resides at Sweden Valley Manor in Coudersport; his wife, Clara, of New Bern; two sons, Michael (Colleen) Castano of Chester; John (Donna) Castano of Rocky Mount; and one daughter, Claire (Michael) Hartung of Manassas; five grandchildren; two brothers, Joseph (Barbara) of Arlington and Orlando (Milinda) Castano of Harrisburg.

Capt. Castano will be buried in Arlingrton National Cemetery at 9:00 a.m. on June 28. Arrangements are under direction of Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory.