Alfredo Castro's Obituary
Alfredo Pabustan Castro (“Daddy Groovy”, “Fred” / “Tang Iding”), aged 96, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2024 in Modesto, California, surrounded by his wife Luzminda (nee Manalo) and loving family after a brief illness. He enjoyed giving thumbs ups and flying kisses to express affection in his last days.
Born on March 17, 1928 in Sapa Libutad, Pampanga, Philippines, Fred grew up helping his parents tend the rice fields, along with his eleven siblings. He recalled walking for an hour to get to school and doing his homework while tending the water buffalo.
This sense of diligence carried on with his first job as a stenographer at a school in Angeles City. After working as a bus conductor for Philippine Rabbit, Fred worked as a waiter at Clark Air Base in Pampanga to provide for his family. He married Maria dela Paz Sanchez Esnil Castro, a well-loved seamstress and friend.
In 1982, the petition from his first wife Maria’s father, Marcos Montano Esnil was approved, allowing him to move to California to be with his wife Maria “Pacing” and their two sons, Emmanuel and Edwin. He later began working at the Oakland Army Base, where he served as a warehouse worker. Throughout his career, Fred dedicated over 35 years of service to the military base before retiring.
Over the decades, they worked tirelessly to unite their family by bringing nine children and several grandchildren from the Philippines to California. Through painstaking sacrifice and selfless saving, they achieved the goal of reuniting the entire Castro family.
A few years after Fred’s first wife Maria passed away, he remarried to Luzminda Manalo and petitioned her to be with him in Modesto, California.
In addition to his love for family, Tang Iding will be remembered for his jovial presence, positive attitude, kindness, bright smile, and hard work. He welcomed everyone with his big love and generosity of spirit - family, friends, neighbors, even strangers. Many recall his thoughtful gestures like bringing home hot, fresh “pandesal” (dinner rolls) and “pancit canton” from Dainty’s restaurant after work. He was also an avid jogger, a consumer of daily news, a boxing fan, a casino player, and a cock fighter.
Daddy Groovy was most proud of bringing all his family together, now mostly residing in California. His legacy of descendants has grown to 76 people, listed below.
Fred was predeceased by his first wife, Maria Esnil, partner Sally Soliman, parents Elancia & Gavino, siblings Madang, Gara, Pepe, Minyung, Epang, Bidung, Duni, Berting, Yoyong, Apang, Idio, and grandsons Marco and Marvin.
Fred is survived by his children, Eleanor (Paul+), Eduardo, Ernesto “FPJ”, Evelyn (Ven), Enrique (Lorna), Emmanuel “James” (Virgie), Edwin (Marie), Elizabeth (Joey), Ester (Noel), Evangeline (Earl), Elvira (Rob), Alfredo Jr. “Pogs” (Melody”, stepson Rufino “Paeng”.
Fred is also survived by his 25 grandchildren: Leda (Olivier), Anne Marie (Cari), Teresa (Nelson), Darwin (Marianne), Maricar (Anthony), Agnes, Lea (Reggie), Shirleen (Luis), Jenny (Kerry), Gerald, Caroline (Nimai), Phillip, Francis, Calvin, Chris, Micah (Jason), Russli, Zoe, Tosh, Kiona, Imani, Charlotte, Maddux, Quinton, Xander.
Tang Iding’s 19 great grandchildren are Aaron, Johnia (Jerson), Tyron, Darell, Maria, Maxene, Bianca (Alex), Anya, Aryanna (Jordan), RJ, Esperanza, Isaiah, Lorenzo, Kingston, Kaylani, Skylar. Logan, Jalen, Malaya. His two great-great grandchildren are Hope and Jaydan Marco. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
With a wink and a smile, he often left people with the advice, “Always love one another” (“Mikakalugud kayu”) and “Let it go. Don’t worry, be happy.”
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