Michael Newbold “Mike” Castle passed away on August 14 at the age of 86. Castle was an influential government official from 1967 to 2011. He was also the longest-serving U.S. Representative in Delaware history.
Born July 2, 1939 in Wilmington, Castle was the son of Louisa Johnston Bache Castle and James Manderson Castle, Jr. Castle’s fifth great-grandfathers were both founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin and Daniel Carroll. His father was a patent lawyer for DuPont. He graduated from Tower Hill School in 1957, attended Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, where he earned a degree in economics. He was also a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. Castle earned his law degree frm Georgetown University Law Center in 1964 and was admitted to the bar in both Delaware and Washington, DC.
After earning his law degree, Castle returned to Delaware and joined Connolly, Bove and Lodge, becoming a partner in 1973. From 1965 to 1966, he served as Deputy Attorney General of Delaware and was elected to the Delaware House of Representatives in 1966. In 1968, Castle was elected to the Delaware Senate. In 1976, he returned to practicing law full-time, founding his own firm with Carl Schnee. In 1980, he ran for Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, recruited by Governor Pete duPont.
He was elected governor in 1984 and again in 1988, the last time a Republican won the governor’s seat in Delaware. He ran for U.S. Representative in 1992. What became known as the “Swap” occurred that year when Castle won the representative seat and Tom Carper became governor.
Known as a centrist who routinely acted in a bipartisan way, Castle built Delaware’s economy by cutting income taxes three times and creating thousands of new jobs. He was instrumental in making Delaware attractive to the banking industry while protecting agriculture with the Agriculture Land Preservation Act.
Castle initiated the Focus on the First Sixty Months Initiative, one of the first state leaders to see the need for early education. Budgets approved during his governorship increased teacher pay and reduced class sizes.
A founding member of the Republican Main Street Partnership, Castle worked on bipartisan efforts to move people from welfare to work. He also shaped the Welfare Reform Act of 1996. He also wrote and helped pass the No Child Left Behind legislation to improve flexibility and resources. He also created the 50 State Quarters Program, recognized as the most innovative coin program in history. Castle was also a co-sponsor of the Brady Bill which required a five-day waiting period to purchase a gun and implemented computerized instant background checks.
The Milford Community Parade often saw Castle walking the parade route in his Frankenstein mask, a costume he often donned at the Governor’s Mansion as well. A voracious reader, Castle read newspapers, periodicals, fiction and non-fiction.
“Mike Castle and I shared a journey that spanned more than four decades – sometimes as colleagues in Dover and Washington, sometimes as opponents on the basketball court – but always as partners in service to the people of the First State. Mike was a proud Republican. I am a lifelong Democrat. But that never got in the way of our friendship or our work,” Former Senator Tom Carper posted on social media. “We were united by our shared love for Delaware, and a determination to leave it better than we found it. His legacy is etched into the fabric of our state, from the schools and institutions he championed, to the civility and collaboration he modeled every day. But above all, he leaves behind an example of a life well-lived – in public service and in private kindness. Martha and I mourn the loss of our friend and our hearts go out to Jane and their family and friends. Let’s carry forward the values he held dear: integrity, humility, bipartisanship, and a belief that government, at its best, can be a force for good.”
Others echoed Carper’s thoughts.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Mike Castle, former Governor and Delaware’s longest-serving U.S. Representative. In 2018, Delaware Humanities hosted Representative Castle at a joint program with Maryland Humanities on the Cardin-Castle Trail in Chesapeake City, MD. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family and friends at this time.”
Castle is survived by his wife of 33 years, Jane DiSabatino, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Until he met Jane, he was an avowed bachelor.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Louisa Johnston Castle and Ann Castle Boswell as well as his brother James Manderson Castle, III.
Castle will be missed by extended family that included his staff and campaign volunteers. He truly valued and appreciated their dedication and loyalty. The family would like to express thanks to Country House for the loving care Castle received.
Visitation will be held at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington from 5 to 8 PM on Thursday, August 21. Overflow parking will be available at St. Mary Magdalen Roman Catholic Church, 7 Sharpley Road, Wilmington. A mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, August 22 at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Church, 10 Old Church Road, Wilmington. The service will be immediately followed by a celebration of life at the Wilmington Country Club, 4825 Kennett Pike, Wilmington. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware, 669 South Union Church Street, Wilmington DE 19805 or Friends of Wilmington Parks, PO Box 435, Montchanin, DE. 19710-0435.
