Mariano Castillo DeJesus, 74
A beloved father, grandfather, husband, brother, Veteran, and lifelong storyteller, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 22, 2025. In his final moments, he shared that his son and his dog had come to get him—a quiet, comforting farewell that reflected the depth of his spirit and connection to those he cherished.
Born on July 28, 1950, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to Mariano De Jesus and Roselia Castillo, he was one of six children in a vibrant household. He admired and respected his siblings, and throughout the years his siblings would become his truest, most loyal friends. Juan De Jesus, Carlos De Jesus, Isabel Rodriguez, Margo Marcelino, and Emilio Perez Castillo.
Nano immigrated to the United States as a young man and quickly fell in love with its pulse—skating through Central Park, starting a family, and began building a life full of rhythm, heart, and spontaneity.
He soon married and spent time in the Everglades and Miami, with his family under the Florida sun, enjoying fatherhood, before eventually settling back in the Northeast for some time.
He made a home in Jersey City, New Jersey and spent weekends at Liberty State Park flying kites, encouraging his kids and nephews to play baseball and softball, teaching some of his sons to drive, and he’d hit golf balls under the waving American flags with pride in his service as a U.S. Army Reserves Veteran.
Over the years, he tried his hand at many careers, from culinary, to land surveying—but ultimately, he loved being behind the wheel. Driving became both his livelihood and his freedom. In many ways, he became a modern-day cowboy, a Western spirit who enjoyed a good domino match and had a talent for making legendary messes in the kitchen.
He made beautiful frames by hand for over 25 years and would fill his homes like elegant galleries. He cut, sanded, sized, and painted every frame with care. He was an amateur photographer, leaving behind bags of photography from his travels.
He had a deep love for the road—whether it was a quick drive around the block or a spontaneous long-haul just to feel the wheels turning beneath him. He loved the Yankees, Westerns, dominoes, NASCAR, dancing, the NY Giants, and his loyal dog Benji, who rarely left his side.
He loved his children and any family party that would get them all together: Karen De Jesus, Romeo De Jesus, Priscilla De Jesus, Christian DeJesus, Jaime De Jesus Mahan, Diana DeJesus Valladares, Christopher Mariano Mahan, Tianna Mahan, and Joseph Martinez.
He was so proud to love, know, and be in the presence of his brilliant, stylish, witty, brave, delightful, unique, and bold grandchildren: Amanda, Alexandra, Mariano, Christopher, Emily, Sebastian, Faith, Mary, Ava, Cam, Estelle, Celeste and Avery.
He loved his wife and partner Susan Mahan. They celebrated, encouraged, lifted, anchored, and loved each other, to hell and back, for 39 years. 
He was a proud father-in-law to Astrid DeJesus, Jayro Valladares, David Sao, and Monica Rivera—and a legend softened as a grandfather-in-law to Dominique De Jesus.
Nano was the joyful brother-in-law and dear friend of Lisa SJursen, Lori Mahan, Ray Mahan, Vilma DeJesus, and Stella DeJesus. He was always deeply grateful for the support and balance of his friend Steven Ingram.
In his life he found trust and friendship, and relied on the motherhood of his former partner and wife, Lesbia Perez and Saray Davila.
Nano was a man of spirit, wit, and fierce independence. He adored his nieces, nephews, and cousins—lighting up around them with laughter and stories. He loved being in the streets, being in motion, and most of all, doing things his way.
——
The version of Nano you remember may not be the same as mine—because Nano’s real talent was letting people be completely themselves. He could match your energy or lift the moment without ever forcing it. That was his quiet magic.
You may have met him in in the Dominican Republic in the 50s, or 90s. It could have been NYC, Hoboken, or a living room dance party in Jersey City. Perhaps it was Shreveport, Louisiana? Or Southern California! VEGAS?!
You may have skied with him in Colorado, or Served with him in the 70s. Have you skated Central Park, or escaped the storms of the Everglades with him? Were you a guest in the video store? Have you danced the night away with him in the clubs of the City or the Mountains of Pennsylvania? Did he build you a hill for sledding? Had you been witness or part of the race & dance that is a casual conversation between Isabel & Nano. It was an art. He came alive with Isabel. 
He may’ve shown up with little notice, from states away, because he was thinking about you. He’d brag about Rosie & Joey, & was so happy when Matt & Leanna were around.
He spoke about trips to see “My-Cousin-Blas-in-Orlando”, over and over. Were you one of the folks he took to “Yonkers to sit with Tia Louisa”? 
He once drove, accidentally, to Canada, and another time fiercely to Costa Rica. Could a hurricane delay a road trip to Disney? - I think not! He always figured it out.
Wherever you were, when you were with him, he was nodding his head as you spoke, expressive and raising his eyebrows to keep from cutting you off in his excitement, and he made you feel like you had a good idea in You, & that every tomorrow could be a fresh start if you wanted it and were willing to do the work.
When he talked about someone, he’d highlight the best/nicest/coolest thing about them to any person who didn’t know them, or care. “My brother is a script-writer, and we are looking for these sneakers in blue”, kind-of-guy! Proud of his crew, and brave enough to be himself.
FIN.
“And not only so….” - Nano, mid-story.