It is with a heavy heart and tear-filled eyes that I write these words. My name is Miranda Jurgensen, and for as long as I can remember, the Castronova family has been like my own. Today, I find myself trying to put into words a loss that feels impossible to comprehend.

Early on the morning of August 24, 2025, we lost Richard “Richie” Castronova—suddenly, unexpectedly, and far too soon. The shock of his passing has left his family reeling, unprepared for the deep grief and the weight of funeral expenses that no one could have foreseen.

Richie was the very definition of a stand-up guy. He was always a gentleman, the kind of person you could count on no matter the circumstance. A true West Milford man through and through, Richie carried the heart of this town in everything he did. He had that easy smile, that kind word, that steady presence that made you feel at home just by being around him.

But more than anything, Richie’s world revolved around his family. He leaves behind his beloved daughter Danielle, his son Ricky, and his grandchildren—the true loves of his life. If you ever saw Richie with his grandkids, you know the way his face lit up. They were his pride, his joy, and his greatest blessing. He cherished every moment with them, and they adored him right back.

As Danielle’s lifelong friend, it breaks me to see her and her family navigating not only this unimaginable grief but also the sudden financial strain of funeral costs. It’s the kind of burden no grieving family should ever have to carry alone.

That’s why I’m reaching out to our friends, our neighbors, and the community that Richie loved so much. We are asking, humbly, for your support. Every donation, no matter how small, will go directly toward giving Richie the dignified farewell he deserves and easing this heavy burden for his loved ones.

If donating isn’t possible, we ask that you please share this page and keep Danielle, Ricky, and the grandchildren in your thoughts and prayers. Your kindness, your words, your love—it all matters more than you know.

Richie touched so many lives. He left behind memories that will live in our hearts forever. Together, let’s honor him by surrounding his family with the same warmth, loyalty, and generosity that Richie showed every single day of his life.