Henry Del Castillo, affectionately known as "El Patron" by his family, was born in Mexico City in 1939 to Margarita de Jesus Ruz-Garcia and Enrique Leon Del Castillo. He died peacefully, in Mission Viejo, surrounded by his family, into eternal life, on Sunday, March 30, 2025, to join his beloved wife, after a brief bout with cancer.

He was the second born child of seven.  He began his permanent residency in the United States September 1945.  He was six years old when he and his family immigrated through Texas, and on to their new home on the outskirts of New York City. He is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Louis and Joseph Del Castillo, and grandson Brad Baker and is survived by his siblings; Rose Del Castillo, Sylvia McBride, Mike (and wife Isabel) Del Castillo, and Margie Gostyla.

Henry was married to Mary Ellen Sassenberger, 'Mimi' at the age of 22, and together bore and raised a brood of eight children, in Los Angeles and Orange County (not to mention the several foster children that they took in and cared for) all of which he is survived by;  Theresa (and husband Richard) Martinez, Cass, Deborah, Daniel, David, Darren (and wife Darcy), Christopher and Timothy (and wife Sarah).  He is survived by and was the proud grandfather of; Brian (and wife Seoyoon) and Brandon (and wife Shellane) Baker, Rachel Del Castillo, Philip Harvey, Miriam (and husband Dominic) Susanka, Celine, Isaiah, Gemma, Bennett, Helena, Peter, Gus and Bernadette Del Castillo, and Nathan and Nico Del Castillo. Additionally, he is survived by and the great grandfather of; Mason and Amelia Baker, Jacob and Joshua Baker, and (born the day before his passing) the newest great grandson, Judah Susanka. His marriage to Mimi ended after 25 years.  However, this family legacy is still robust and bearing much fruit.

Henry met and married Denni Medinnis two years later, and together they enjoyed 35 years of marriage, at their beautiful home in Laguna Beach, until just over two years ago, when his beloved wife passed away. Together they raised her three children, all of whom are survived by him; Emily (and husband Iain) Franks, Jessica Camp and Sarah Swingler and their children; Helene and Fred Franks, and Charlotte, Josie, and Eleanor Swingler.

Henry's work career, mostly in finance, progressively advanced over the years. His college-level classes, which focused on accounting and business courses in night school settings, enabled him to compete successfully at professional levels in several companies and industries, moving up from the beginnings as an office boy in the mailroom of his first employer, through several clerical, supervisory, and managerial roles, then advancing into controllership and chief financial officer positions in corporate America. This enabled him, throughout the years, to provide for his extraordinarily large family.

Henry was a devout Catholic and a true child of God.  He attended daily mass, loved his home life with his true love, Denni, and together they enjoyed travel, art, music and exploring the natural world.  He was a wildly competitive scrabble and chess player, and in his younger years, he could hit a homerun like nobody's business!  However, his true-life passion and hobby, if you will, was singularly focused, it centered around his care for his beloved family.

It would be remiss not mention the hundreds of extended family members, neighbors, colleagues and friends, who were also touched by Henry's generosity and grace.  To know him was to know the Giant of a man he truly was.  He was, indeed, a man among men.  Some would say he was the "GOAT", or the Gentle Giant, and many have oft said: "he was the greatest human I have ever known".

"Life is good, indeed, thanks be to God" is a quote Henry was most known for saying, especially when storytelling or praying with his beloved family surrounding him. He will be forever in our hearts but missed greatly each day. He was not only our "El Patron" but truly the Anchor of our lives.

God Bless You, we love you!

Services:

Viewing & Rosary
Friday, April 11, 2025
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Rosary at 6:30 PM)
McCormick & Son Mortuaries and Crematory
1795 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Funeral Mass
Saturday, April 12, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
St. Catherine of Siena
1042 Temple Terrace
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Graveside Service
Saturday, April 12, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Ascension Cemetery
24754 Trabuco Road
Lake Forest, CA 92630

Reception:
Saturday, April 12, 2025
2:00 – 6:00 PM
Family Home
3103 Bern Drive
Laguna Beach, CA 92651