Credit: Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
ANSONIA – The legacy of a former Emmett O’Brien Technical High School student and his love of carpentry will live on forever, thanks to a donation by the Seymour Lions Club.
The Seymour Lions recently raised $1,600 during a car cruise night fundraiser, held in memory of EOB Class of 2018 late graduate Justin D. Castle. The money was used to purchase 22 stainless steel toolboxes, each adorned with a memorial plaque dedicated to Justin, who left the world too soon.
Justin passed away in January 2022 at age 21 due to complications from COVID-19, according to his parents, Lisa and Ralph Castle, of Shelton. The toolboxes will be used by incoming students who are exploring the trades for the first time.
“He would think this is pretty amazing,” Lisa Castle said. “He always loved to work with his hands and build things. I’m very humbled and overwhelmed at the idea of carrying on his name and his memory here.”
In addition to his love of building things, Justin loved classic cars and trucks, according to his dad. Justin and his friends regularly attended the Seymour Lions’ car cruise nights, according to Melissa Smith, club treasurer.
Justin’s parents had asked if the Lions would consider holding one of their car cruises in Justin’s memory.
Justin’s family set up a memorial in his name, and through various fundraising events, have used the proceeds to keep Justin’s memory alive, according to EOB teacher Rebecca Mara.
On June 16, Smith and fellow Lion Barbara Fredericks joined Justin’s parents and the carpentry department at EOB for the official dedication of the new toolboxes.
“A few years ago, Lisa reached out to me and asked if we could do a memorial cruise for her son,” Smith said. “Justin attended our cruises all the time and he loved to show off his truck. The family told us we could use the money for whatever we wanted. We knew we had to do something in Justin’s memory.”
Mara told Smith that EOB’s carpentry department could really use new toolboxes.
So it was done.
“It’s just an incredible honor to be able to carry on his name,” Smith said.
Justin’s dad, Ralph, said Justin was working with him in the family’s landscaping business prior to his passing.
“He loved carpentry, but he was raised around our company,” Ralph said. “He was always into tractors and when he was small, he built this sort of shed on top of a tractor. He would get out his tools and do all the framing, he really loved to build things.”
EOB teacher Kimberly Phipps recalled having Justin in class.
“Justin was a quiet leader with a steadfast way of bringing kindness and acceptance everywhere he went,” Phipps said. “He got that kindness, as well as innumerable good qualities from his family. With a work ethic that never sought recognition, he approached every task, no matter how small, with excellence, care and humility.”
The new toolboxes are packed with a miter box and matching saw in the school’s colors of green, some chisels, a tape measure, a hammer and a speed square.
EOB carpentry student Wayne Jensen, 17, of Oxford, said incoming freshmen will benefit from the donation. Wayne will be a senior at EOB this fall and plans to pursue a career in carpentry.
“We were using old wooden toolboxes, and the tools weren’t so sharp anymore,” Wayne said. “I think it’s great for the freshmen as they’ll be able to have these new tools to use while doing their exploratory building projects.”
Michael Howley, the head carpentry teacher at EOB, said generations of students following in Justin’s footsteps will know his name.
“Every student that comes through carpentry will see Justin’s name on the toolboxes and they will learn his backstory,” Howley said. “I’m sure it will help keep the memory alive that Justin came through our school and he was a graduate. The kids will benefit from the kindness of this donation.”
