Fernando Figueiredo Dias Castro, 77, of Rocky Hill, was born in Nespereira de Cima, Palmaz, Oliveira de Azemeis, Portugal. He emigrated with his family to the U.S. in 1962 when he was 16. He attended Hartford Public High School, where he learned English, met other Portuguese students, and became part of the Portuguese community in Hartford. He also attended A.I. Prince Technical School. Fernando was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church and the Portuguese Club of Hartford.

Fernando began playing soccer with the Hartford Portuguese Soccer Team as a teenager and made many lifelong friends. For years he played on the team, as a fullback and later a goalie. After retiring from playing the game, he became the team’s coach, manager, and president. He never lost his passion for soccer and took much pleasure in coaching his three children and later watching his grandchildren play the game.

Early on Fernando worked in construction and as a car salesman. At the Spencer Turbine Company, he became a machine operator, supervisor, and a foreman during his 30 years with them. For a short time, he was part owner of the Family Bakery in East Hartford. He later owned the Two Brothers Wine and Spirits package store in Colchester, CT, along with his brother-in-law, John Galo. Afterwards he went into partnership with his youngest son, Nathan, and together they owned two package stores in that town.

Fernando leaves his wife of over 50 years, Elaine; his daughter, Sabrina and her husband John Sweeney of Rocky Hill, CT; his sons, Nelson Castro and his wife Kathleen of Queens, NY and Nathan Castro and his wife Nicole of Sarasota, Florida. He also leaves six beloved grandchildren: Brenna and Skylar Sweeney, Jocelyn and Lucy Castro, and Cole and Natalie Castro. He is predeceased by his parents, Ilidio M.D. Castro and Adelaide Rosa de Figueiredo, and his two older sisters, Ermendina Bastos and Lucinda Castro. He leaves his three younger sisters, Adelaide Goncalves of Nazare, Portugal, Lidia Galo of Hartford, CT and Fatima Aguiar of Glastonbury, CT; his sister-in-law, Christine Rebelo and brothers-in-law Nuno Rebelo of Glastonbury, CT and John Galo, of Coventry, CT. He leaves many nieces, nephews and friends, as well.

Fernando will be remembered for his love of his family, his passion for soccer, and his skill as a builder and renovator. He never lived in a home that he didn’t improve. Although he did not enjoy flying, he visited his homeland, Portugal, many times in the past few years.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 28, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, December 29, at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 50 Kane Street, Hartford. Everyone is asked to meet directly at Church. Entombment will be in the mausoleum at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting that donations are made to the Portuguese Club of Hartford in Fernando’s memory.