from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Frank Joseph Castelli, 88, of the Village of Winterset, Pa., died Sept. 12, 2013, at Miner’s Medical Center.

Born July 4, 1925, in South Fork, he was the son of Anthony and Bianca (Bendinelli) Castelli.

A man of accomplishment, he was most known for his Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealership in Ebensburg with automobile sales and leasing operations.

He was a three-time gubernatorial appointee to state committees and developed the Good Samaritan Nursing Care Center (now part of Conemaugh Hospital), Castel Manor Farm horse breeding facility and Castel Gate Nursery for Christmas Trees.

He was a successful race horse owner and partner. His love of horses, both Thoroughbred and Standardbred, led him to become president of The Meadows Racetrack, the Standardbred Owners Association chairman and member of the PA Breeders Fund/Sire Stakes Advisory Board and the Pennsylvania Live Horse Racing Council, representing all established PA racetracks and horse breeders.

Representing all horsemen statewide enabled Mr. Castelli to work directly with state legislators and he was instrumental in developing the legislation that created racinos and established the beneficiaries of the revenue generated by slots play.

He is survived by his wife, Susan; daughter, Mary Frances (Gerald) Bruck, daughter of the late Stella Lauder; granddaughter, Maribeth Makepeace; grandson, Eric Castelli (Carolyn) Toll; sister, Victoria Law; mother-in-law. Laura T. Philips; brother-in-law, Thomas W. Philips; sisters-in-law, Barbara (Ray) O’Connell, Margaret F. Reynolds (fiancé of John Sumrada) and Theresa; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Thomas; sister, Adelaide LaMantia; and father-in-law, Roy E. Philips, Jr.

A public visitation will be held on Monday (Sept. 16) at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes Inc., 300 North Julian Street, Ebensburg, from 2-8 p.m. His funeral will be private.

Memorial contributions may be directed to organizations benefitting children’s health programs, wounded military, food pantries and/or animal welfare.