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NORTH SALEM, N.Y. Retired North Salem Police Lt. Michael M. Castellano died Aug. 9 at his home in North Salem. He was 72. Castellano was born July 29, 1940, in the Bronx, N.Y., to Mathew and Sara Castellano. He graduated from Mount St. Michael Academy in the Bronx and served in the Army. Castellano continued his military career as a longtime active member of the Air Force Reserve.
He had a 40-year career in law enforcement. He was in the New York City Police Department from April of 1968 until he retired as a detective in April of 1990. He served in the 42nd Precinct crime scene unit, the 28th and 42nd Precinct detective squads, technical assistance research unit, bomb squad and the special victims unit.
After he retired from the NYPD, Castellano served as lieutenant in the North Salem Police Department, retiring again in 2008.
He also had a lifelong passion for photography. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, MaryAnn Tarantino Castellano; five children, Matthew (Catherine) Castellano, of Brewster N.Y., Michele (John) Pezzillo, of North Salem, Melissa (Peter) Karaffa, of New Milford, Conn., Michael (Kristal) Castellano, of North Salem, and Mark (Theresa) Castellano, of North Salem; and nine grandchildren.
A daughter, Melinda Castellano, predeceased him.
Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Beecher Funeral Home in Brewster. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Monday, at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Croton Falls. Burial will follow at June Cemetery in North Salem.
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