Frank Xavier Castagna

Mr. Frank Xavier Castagna, 93, of Tifton, died Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at Tift Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 7, 2021 at 2:00 P.M., in the chapel of Albritton Funeral Directors with Dr. Wayne Roe officiating.  Burial, with full military honors, will follow in Oakridge Cemetery where he will be buried beside his first wife, Ruby Esteen Whiddon Castagna, to whom he was married for forty-eight years at the time of her death on July 25, 2003.

The family will greet friends at the cemetery following the service there.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Ellis, Joel Ellis, Edward Berg, Mark McLean and Gerald Whiddon.

Mr. Castagna was born on March 8, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Antonio and Concetta Monte Castagna. Concetta died when Frank was three months old, and he and his two older brothers lived in foster homes and an orphanage until Antonio married Edna Castagna who was instrumental in reuniting the family and eventually caring for five sons. His brothers, Phillip, Anthony, Manuel and Michael all preceded Frank in death, as well as his stepmother. One daughter, Blanche Avy Castagna Adams, died August 4, 2004. His second wife, Betty Howell Castagna, died January 4, 2020.

Mr. Castagna served overseas during World War II in the European Theater of Operations. After his discharge from the U. S. Army, he enrolled at Georgia Institute of Technology where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering. He worked for J. P. Stevens Company, Firestone Manufacturing Company, and Franklin Life Insurance Company. Following his retirement, he owned and managed several local Tifton apartments which he rented to the public. Mr. Castagna and his family were active members of Tifton’s First Baptist Church for many years.

Surviving Mr. Castagna are his son, Frank G. Castagna, D. C. of Thomson, Ga., two daughters and sons-in-law, Concetta “Connie” and Dr. Charles Nickens of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and Marie Virlin Castagna Penumadu and Dr. Dayakar Penumadu of Knoxville, Tennessee, along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.