August 24, 2026
It is difficult to believe that a year has passed since the death of my cherished husband, Joe. As we mark this first anniversary, the heartbreak of his absence remains very real for me, our children, our family, and the many friends who loved him. There are still so many moments when we wish we could hear his voice, share something with him, laugh with him, or simply have him beside us. His zest for life and adventure was shared with family and friends and will always bring a smile to our faces.
And yet, amid the grief, this past year has also brought many moments of profound gratitude and comfort. Again and again, we have been reminded of the extraordinary impact Joe had on others and of the many ways his legacy continues to live on. I told him during hospice that he would never know how many lives he had positively impacted throughout his time here because of the “ripple effect.” He made time for anyone who asked for help, valued friendship, and encouraged people to go for their dreams.
We were deeply moved when Rep. Jim Costa honored Joe on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and entered a tribute to him into the Congressional Record, ensuring that Joe’s contributions to higher education and the San Joaquin Valley will be preserved as part of our nation’s history.
It was also incredibly meaningful to see Joe remembered through the arts and traditions he valued. At Arte Américas in Fresno, artists Lalo Alcaraz and Adán Ávalos created a beautiful ofrenda in Joe’s memory as part of the Figuras Monumentales Day of the Dead exhibition. I personally added some of Joe’s belongings and floral arrangements to this very special tribute. Its theme—honoring people who made a powerful difference in their communities—felt especially fitting.
More recently, I was deeply honored to accept the Legacy Award on Joe’s behalf at the 2025 UC Chicanx/Latinx Leadership Summit. As I shared that day, Joe’s life’s work was helping others succeed. He focused on the needs of each individual and their path toward reaching their goals. That simple idea captures so much of who he was.
Perhaps some of the most hopeful moments for our family have come from seeing that work continue through the next generation.
At UC Berkeley, our family had the opportunity to visit the Latinx Student Resource Center and meet remarkable students with ambitious goals for their lives and communities. Seeing their energy, determination, and promise reminded us why the Castro Family Community Leaders Endowment means so much to our family. Joe dedicated his life to empowering others through education, and helping future generations of leaders succeed is one way his legacy—and our family’s mission—continues.
We have felt that same connection through the Castro & Borges Family Basic Needs Endowment at Fresno State, reflecting Joe’s and my deep commitment to ensuring that students have not only access to higher education, but also the support they need to thrive once they get there.
Joe was devout in practicing his faith. It guided the way he treated others and the standards he held himself to. Our family was honored to have a chalice inscribed with his name, a tradition of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. Thank you to his brother Knights, who gave him full honors at his Mass and funeral.
Relatedly, I was fortunate to attend the Diocesan Priesthood Ordination Mass for Father Scott Borba, the priest who received the chalice bearing Joe’s inscription. He is now assigned to minister at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Clovis, California—the parish our family attended when we lived in Clovis. We didn’t plan this amazing connection; God did. We are very grateful for this blessing.
Above all, I want to thank everyone who has surrounded our family with love during this past year. Your calls, letters, prayers, flowers, visits, stories about Joe, and messages shared through this website have meant more than I can adequately express. To his friends, colleagues, former students, and the many people whose lives intersected with his: Thank you for keeping his memory alive, for sharing what he meant to you, and for continuing to carry forward the values that guided his life.
Joe believed deeply in the power of education to change lives, strengthen families, and transform communities. He believed in opening doors for others. A year after his passing, it brings our family tremendous comfort to see that those doors are still being opened.
For those who would like to honor Joe’s memory in this way, contributions may still be made to the Castro & Borges Family Basic Needs Endowment Fund at Fresno State and the Castro Family Community Leaders Endowment Fund at UC Berkeley.
If you would like to share your thoughts with us by mail, we would be grateful to receive letters at the following address: 2201 N. Lakewood Blvd, Suite D, Box 689, Long Beach, CA 90815.
As we remember Joe on this difficult anniversary, our hearts remain heavy with how deeply we miss him, but they are also full of gratitude—for the life we shared with him, for the people who continue to honor him, and for the lasting good that is being done in his name.
With love and much gratitude,
Mary
Dr. Joseph I. Castro In Memoriam 