John Mark Castagna

November 28, 1949 – May 10, 2015 @ 65
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On May 10, 2015 John Mark Castagna, 65, of Kingwood, a great soul, passed away after a year-and-a-half long battle with brain cancer. He was in his home, surrounded by his family. 

Fittingly, it was Mother's Day, as he played the role of both mother and father to his four girls for many years as a widower and had enough love and grace for both. Then he enlarged his family Brady-Bunch style when he married Vicki and embraced her two daughters and son. He chose the perfect moment to slip away that day – in the midst of sharing stories of his full and rich life, deep love, and contagious laughter. 

John was born in New York City and a 1972 graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy, serving in the Navy Reserve for 11 years. As a Vice President for Chevron for over a decade – and having worked for them for almost four decades-John extensively traveled the globe to oversee CSAT (Crude Oil Supply and Trading). His ability to run a large key division so important to Chevron's business was only exceeded by his people skills and abilities. His loyalty to his team was surpassed only by their loyalty to him. No matter how complicated or concerning business issues became, John faced them with fairness and compassion. One thing was for certain, if John Castagna was taking care of it, it was done ethically and done right. 

John has exemplified what it means to be a man, a leader, and a hero-to his family, to his workplace, to the oil industry, and to society at large. He has proved to the world what it means to live in honor and dignity up to his last dying breath.

John is survived by his wife, Vicki Benson Castagna; his daughters, Jenny Castagna Coronado and her husband, Sam; Laurie Castagna Rohmann and her husband, Jed; Erin Castagna Day and her husband, Mike; and Katie Castagna Mitchell and her husband, Scott; his stepchildren, Lindsay Benson Mucha and her husband, Tim; Brandon Benson, and Ashlie Benson; his mother, Anna Castagna; his sisters Marianne Castagna Greer and her husband, Frank, and Diane Castagna Boyd and her husband, Keith. He was adored by his nine grandchildren: Emily, Matthew, and Elizabeth Coronado; Lily and Johnny Rohmann; Travis Day; Avery Mithcell; and Lily and Austin Mucha.

John was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia Sweeny Castagna and his father, Angelo J Castagna.

The family will visit with friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2015 at Kingwood Funeral Home, 22800 Highway 59 North, Kingwood, TX 77339. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 noon, on Friday, May 15, 2015 at St. Martha Catholic Church, 4301 Woodridge Pkwy, Porter, TX 77365. A Rite of Committal will follow at Rosewood Cemetery in Humble.

Memorial contributions can be made in John's memory to The Marnie Rose Foundation Run for the Rose to benefit MD Anderson brain cancer research. http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/teamcastagna

Houston Chronicle on May 14, 2015


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