Alvin Russell Castilow, Jr.

Alvin Russell Castilow, Jr passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, at Novant Hospital in Huntersville, NC on May 28, 2023 at the age of 85.

He is preceded in death by is wife of 61 years, Catherine “Kitty” (Freismuth) Castilow; parents, Alvin Russell and Anna (Kordack) Castilow; nephew, Timmy Freismuth.

Al is survived by his daughter Kathy and husband Dave Fogle of Huntersville, NC; son, Russ and wife Anna Castilow of Charlotte, NC; sister, Gerry Garbe of Canal Winchester, OH; nephew, David Dowden and great nephews Cahlin, Samuel and Braden Dowden of Canal Winchester Ohio: brother-in-law, Tom Freismuth and his wife Patricia of Wheeling, WV; niece, Mary Kathryn Freismuth Yeater of Wheeling, WV and nephew, Tucker Freismuth of Norfolk, VA. 

Al was born and raised in Wheeling, WV where he graduated from Wheeling Central Catholic High School and continued his education at Wheeling Jesuit College, majoring in chemistry with a minor in mathematics.   He was a member of the first graduating class from Wheeling Jesuit in 1959.  Al was a proud member of the alumni association and supporter of the college, maintaining lifelong friendships with his classmates and often attended reunions. 

Al married his love, Kitty Freismuth, in June of 1961 and they chose Glendale, WV to raise their family. He was a devoted husband, and a wonderful father. Al adored his niece and nephews and cherished his extended family and lifelong friends.  He was an active member of St. Jude Catholic Church in Glen Dale, where he served as parish council president. 

After college, Al began his career working for Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel and in1960 went on to work for Mobay Chemical Corporation (Bayer) in New Martinsville, WV. Al started in the quality assurance laboratory and quickly worked his way into upper management.

In 1987 he accepted a position with Bayer that required relocating to Summerville, SC. Al loved living in the south and enjoyed the mild climate and southern hospitality. There, he and Kitty made close new friendships, enjoyed Stingray hockey games and attended many cultural events in the Charleston area. He retired from Bayer in 1995 after a 35-year career.

Al and Kitty spent the majority of their retirement years in Summerville, SC where they traveled to countless places in the US and abroad. During this time he honed his photography skills and documented their travels with an amazing collection of photographs. Al enjoyed fishing and boating the waterways of the SC low country along with his annual fishing trips in Tennessee with his son and lifelong friends. Some of the fondest memories he shared were from the Tennessee trips. Al was a skilled craftsman and was not intimidated to take on any renovation or remodeling project. He also enjoyed spending time in his woodworking shop where he would make furniture and a multitude of other creations.

Al and Kitty moved to Huntersville, NC in 2014 to be closer to their children and grand dogs. Once there, they continued their travels and Al always remained in close contact with extended family and friends.

Sadly, Kitty passed away just 80 days before Al. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Kitty and Al at 10:00 am, Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at St. Alphonsus in Wheeling, WV. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 9:00am to 9:45am.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.KepnerFH.com.