Anthony Castillio Sr

After many long arduous health battles, Anthony D. Castillio, Sr. succumbed to his illnesses, on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024. He was 63 years old. Anthony was born on June 17, 1961 in New York, New York as the only child of Mary Castillio (deceased) and Paul Castillio (deceased). Although most would have assumed that he was born in Washington, D.C., he moved there along with his mother when he was 5 years old. Life in D.C. during the 60’s/70’s was one of immense culture and black excellence but also crime, poverty and rebellion. Being shaped by this environment, Mary soon realized Anthony was head strong and independent. Needing some guidance and mentorship Mary enrolled Anthony in a school run by Brothers of the Nation of Islam. It was there that Anthony learned discipline, commitment and perseverance. Being the head of a household from a young age these lessons would help him in the years to come as both a provider and protector of the people that would become the fabric of his life. Holding only an associate degree under his belt, Anthony turned his knack for cooking and love for food into a profession. At the height of his culinary career, Anthony was often the ‘point person’ tapped to open prominent restaurants such as J. Paul’s in the affluent Georgetown neighborhood of D.C.. While working another busy shift in the kitchen Anthony met who would become his first wife Clarissa Coby. They were married in 1983 and a year later Anthony and Clarissa would welcome his first child Asia Castillio to the world. Two years later he would have his only son Anthony Castillio, Jr. As much as Anthony loved the culinary world he was never one to be complacent. Anthony had always had a love for technology. One of Anthony’s innate qualities was being and thinking about the future. While working multiple jobs he enrolled in night school so that he could pursue a better career for himself and for the family he was building. Clarissa and Anthony separated during this period, however, having missed the opportunity to have his own father be a major character in his own life Anthony was determined to break the cycle so while separated he was still an active and providing father in the lives of Asia and Anthony Jr. As his career progressed and he found his footing in his new industry Anthony met and married Sharon Chandler. Sharon’s daughter Alycia Wright became Anthony’s step daughter and he as determined to be a strong and passionate influence in Alycia’s life as he was with Asia and Anthony Jr. It was during this period that Anthony purchased his home in Temple Hills Maryland, a place that become the site for many celebrations, barbecues, and late night pool sessions. One could not know Anthony without having been in his ‘Man Cave’ of Redskin (Commander) paraphernalia. The tailgates and the Redskin community that he built was also part of his ever-growing family. His love for his family and work were probably the only things he loved more than his team. He went back to school to get his Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology and shifted his career path to Information Technology as a means to be more present in that union. Again, Anthony soared in his career in IT and rose to the top of that profession. First at May Department stores, then transitioned from retail to the healthcare industry when he moved to Arlington Hospital (now Virginia Hospital Center). As his reputation in systems engineering grew, he was recruited to manage the computer room at Fairfax Hospital (now Inova Health Systems). At the height of his IT career, Anthony was well-known in the Phamis/IDX/Tandem world and became the President of the Phamis/IDX user group leading a convention of over 300 users representing hospital systems from across the United States. When panic ripped through the IT community at the thought of the millennium switch from 1999 to 2000 and a CIO declared that all IT staff whether on site or not would have to be ‘on-call’ OR quit; Anthony left Inova and started his own IT consulting firm, ADC System Services. He ran ADC System Services for 24 years until his death but it morphed along the way. What started as a software/hardware consulting firm, pivoted to include spin-offs for: - Business Continuity/Emergency Management – Anthony was part of the Community Emergency Response Team of Clinton, and prepared Business Continuity plans for healthcare systems like Sibley Hospital and energy companies like Washington Gas. - PMP Certification partnership with the Project Management Institute (PMI) – Anthony’s Pro Training Group LLC helped dozens of full-time adult learners ‘of color’ by providing remote after hours PMP classes and one-on-one tutorials so they could successfully pass the grueling PMP certification test which is the standard professional certification for project managers across the world. - Crypto currency/Block chain technology mentorships – Anthony’s Legacy Makers LLC is a collaboration with several African American entrepreneurs whose mission is to educate and orient future investors in the new world of crypto currency. From his work at Inova, Anthony met and married Joette Chancy and again instantly became, ‘Uncle Tony’ to her daughter from a previous marriage, Michelle Borden. As grandparent to Alicia’s daughter, Chelsea and ‘Pop Pop’ to Michelle’s son Cole, Anthony cherished his ever expanding family and had a true vision for the future. When that future included then-candidate Barack Obama, Anthony again answered the call. He left his new family to work, full-time leading the Democratic office in Suffolk Virginia which was no easy task. There were threats from the community and challenges with new technology…Anthony was meant for this !! We all know what happened there, President Obama was elected and Suffolk was handily ‘blue’ in Suffolk with record setting ‘new’ voters added to the rolls. At the end Anthony Castillio Sr. saw his life as one that was about overcoming the odds and realizing the family and community that he poured his time, effort and care into. Anthony was from a different era and those around him understood this almost immediately. Even within the limitations of society at large Anthony would not be denied. Anthony would out work, out think, and out talk (yell) anyone who obstructed him from his goals and aspirations. Anthony’s methods were not for everyone but his results were undeniable. Anthony put it all on the line constantly and had no regrets about losses or setbacks. In fact setback were a challenge, that he thrived in knowing he could and would overcome. Anthony loved to travel. From taking driving an RV across America and the southern coast of Europe, to driving a 5- speed sports car through France and Italy. He engineered a life that he loved and was unforgettable to all who were fortunate to have met him. He was stubborn but kind, loud but introspective, bossy but knew how to listen. A fierce defender and advocate but also a formidable adversary when needed. He would fight for anyone who would needed him. Being the son of a single mother he was aware of what the world expected from him and, recognized the odds he overcame with a quiet humility that left even those closest to him unaware of the burden he kept as his own. He would at times quietly remark to himself the pride that he had in what he accomplished in his life, but always with the next goal in sight, or a strategy to get a student, friend, or co worker to realize some potential they didn’t know they had themselves. His life is a testament to both ‘what to do’ and ‘what not to do’ and as a role model to his core, he was grateful for all the lessons his life choices may have taught others. Tony enjoyed fishing, cooking/grilling, shooting pool, and cheering for his teams: Lakers, Yankees and Commanders. When he walked into a room, he was a force of nature. We will miss Dad, Tony, ‘Big T’, ‘Uncle T Man’ always. He is leaving a gaping hole in our lives and in our hearts with his passing but we realize he is no longer in pain or suffering. The quote he is most famous for is: “It either gets done or it doesn’t…the rest is BS” – Anthony D. Castillio, Sr. Donations in memory of Anthony Castillio Sr. can be made to: Boys & Girls Club of America Democratic National Committee

Tributes

Anthony Castillio Sr

June 17, 1961 - November 28, 2024