Dr. Joseph R. Castagnola
March 19, 1950 – Feb. 1, 2026
Castagnola
Dr. Joseph R. Castagnola, of Southport, N.C., passed away Sunday, at the age of 75. Dr. Castagnola was a son of the late Joseph J. Castagnola and Susan Castagnola.
He devoted his career to education, beginning in 1972 and serving for more than four decades before retiring as a school superintendent.
Following retirement, he and his wife moved to St. James, N.C., where he enjoyed golf and was a devoted lover of all sports.
He remained deeply involved in the community through the St. James Fire Department, the local food pantry and Brunswick County Search and Rescue, where he helped secure funding by writing grants in support of their work.
He is survived by his wife, Laura Jean Castagnola; three children: Kelly Hardee and husband, Russell, Andrew Castagnola and wife, Lauren, and Adrienne Spatzier and husband, Jason; and five grandchildren: Nicholas Hardee, Danielle Hardee, Aiden Castagnola, Wesley McAleer and Austin McAleer.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Castagnola.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in the Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral Home Chapel, 1411 N. Howe St., Southport, NC 28461. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. James Fire Department or the St. James Service Club in his honor. Online condolences may be made at peacocknewnamwhite.com.