Angelo Jesse Castillo

MADISON - Angelo J. Castillo, age 75, passed away on March 6, 2026, in Madison, Wis., after a multi-year journey with advanced heart failure and a recent leukemia diagnosis. He transitioned peacefully with his wife, Ann, by his side after one final video chat with his son, Brian, enroute from out of state.

Angelo was born on May 31, 1951, in Neenah, Wis. His parents, Teofilo “Ted” and Emeteria “Theresa” (Padilla) Castillo, originally from Mexico, landed in central Wisconsin to raise their family of five, making the most of all the region had to offer.

Angelo graduated from Neenah High School in 1968 and received his economics degree from UW-Oshkosh in 1975. While studying at UW-Oshkosh, he met Ann Milbach and they married on August 2, 1975, in Appleton, Wis. They migrated to New York to pursue a master’s degree at Suny Binghamton in New York. Upon completion of that chapter, he and Ann settled in Madison, Wis., where he worked for the State of Wisconsin in the Bureau of Health Care Finance and served as a supervisor for many years before retiring in 2008.

Angie, or Ang as some of his friends called him, lived with vibrancy, a strong sense of humor and built in a few decades of professionalism along the way. He played drums in a band with friends, which led to a life-long appreciation of music. Angelo also pursued photography, often capturing candid moments with friends, at gatherings or on any given adventure he experienced.  He enjoyed the bike-friendly infrastructure of the Madison area to commute to work or explore one of the many trails weaving about the area.

Ang played softball with the lads from work and enjoyed many adventures with them along the Wisconsin River, camping via canoe. This sparked an affinity for campfires to reflect on the day, share ideas and undoubtedly infuse jokes or sage advice to anyone present. Angelo LOVED Door County, a place where he and Ann would go camping every summer. His love for the Great Lakes eventually extended to the South Shore of Lake Superior, where he’d volunteer annually for an open-water swim event to aid with safety paddler registrations.

He also had an insatiable thirst for the local community and thrived on the energy from Madison’s East Side, which he called home for the previous 50 years. He took an active role in local neighborhood associations, community events and hosted a handful of parties, campfires and gatherings over the years. Angelo also got a kick from the various nicknames acquired over his tenure on Marquette Street such as, “mayor of the neighborhood” and “block captain” before embracing the role as “neighborhood grand-dad.” He shared countless smiles and dedicated his time to the next generation of east-siders.

Angelo is survived by his wife, Ann; son, Brian (partner, Alissa); sisters, Frannie and Nicki; and nieces and nephews in the Fox Valley. He will especially be missed by his neighbors and friends in the Madison area. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Theresa; brother, Charlie on December 30, 2019; and sister, Carmen on March 20, 2021.

A celebration of life will be held at the GOODMAN COMMUNITY CENTER, 149 Waubesa St., Madison, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, 2026.

In lieu of memorials, please take a moment to find gratitude in each day and share a smile with someone. For those able to donate, a little love can go a long way at the American Heart Association or Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society).

Angelo’s family would like to thank the first responders who gave Angelo a continued lease on life in April 2024 after his first cardiac event. With additional gratitude for the cardio and ICU teams at the UW and Meriter Hospital who provided tremendous care and attention to Angelo during his visits. And special thanks to Dr. Nadiminti and colleague, Nurse Katie, who were instrumental in facilitating dignified and quality care with this leukemia treatment during the final chapter of his journey.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420