Raphael J. "Ray" Castaldi died June 9, 2014, at the age of 79.

Mr. Castaldi was a police officer in Marple Township, Pa., for 27 years and founded Castaldi Construction in 1968 in Broomall, Pa. Today, the business is run by his son, James Castladi and is called James Castaldi Contractors.

Mr. Castaldi also was a firefighter for 30 years with the Broomall Fire Department and worked his way up to First Assistant Chief. After his retirement, he was named a Life Member of the department.

After his retirement from the Marple Township Police Department, Mr. Castaldi remained active in the Law Enforcement Memorial Fund and was instrumental in getting a monument built in Rose Tree Park in Upper Providence, Pa., to honor officers killed in the line of duty. Mr. Castaldi stayed in touch with his fellow officers long after he retired and was involved in the FOP as well as the Police Officers on Pension, a group that meets regularly for luncheons.

"He was very proud to be a police office," said his son, James. "He never lost contact with his fellow officers."

In 1998, Mr. Castaldi became involved with the Suburban Contractors Association (SCA), based in Broomall, Pa., after his son, James, nominated him to fill a then vacant executive director role.

"He loved it, being in the SCA," said James. "It gave him something to do after he retired from police force and his business. He love the communication and the friendships he made. Whenever he would create the SCA’s new calendar each year, rather than mail many of them out, he wouild hand deliver them to members just so he could see them and talk to them."

Mr. Castaldi was an avid sailor for most of his adult life, starting out with a small Sunfish boat and working his way up to a 34-ft. Hunter, James said.

Later in his life, in his spare time, Mr. Castaldi loved spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was the beloved husband of Lois M. (nee McKeever), of Broomall; devoted father of Nancy E. Dobbins (Steve), James R. (Cindy), Susan M. D’Angelo, Robert J. Sr. (Cheryl) and Barbara A. Uniatowski (Ted); he is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and his sister, Elizabeth Rauch (Joseph). He was predeceased by his grandson, Andrew J. Dobbins; his great granddaughter, Caroline Grace Blekeski and his brother, Joseph R. (Helen).

Services were held at the Frank C. Videon Funeral Home in Broomall, Pa., and a Funeral Mass was held June 14 at St. Anastasia Church in Newtown Square Pa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent in his name to Delaware County Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation (DCLEMF), P.O. Box 101, Media, Pa. 19063, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Interment was at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery.

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