Lillian Castelli

Lillian M. Castelli, 94, died Friday, October 9, 2015, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital - Somerset, Somerville. Born January 30, 1921, in College Point, Queens, New York, she was the daughter of Walter and Theresa Hughes Klotzer. She had resided in Vermont before moving to Raritan fifty-five years ago. Lillian was a talented musician, playing piano, mandolin, guitar, accordion, and Hawaiian guitar, and loved to sing. Although she attended beauty school, she was best known for her musical talents, performing solo and with her band, the Hal Trio, at weddings, military bases during World War II, and popular New York clubs such as the Essex House. She was a member of the Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association of New Jersey for over thirty years. A homemaker, she was devoted to her family and friends, endowing them with love, music, laughter, and fun. She had a story about her years spent living in Vermont published in the book Life In the Slow Lane . Lillian was predeceased by her brother, Walter Klotzer. She is survived by her loving husband of fifty-five years, Gregory B. Castelli; her daughter Marie Castelli of Maysville, Kentucky; her sons, Gregory F. Castelli of Glen Gardner, James Castelli of Lambertville; her daughters Carol Crider and Nancy Surber, both of Lantana, Florida, Marilyn Leonard of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania; her grandchildren, Robby, David, Cathy, Carol, Tracy, Jennifer, Suzie, Joey, Ashley, Antoinette, Nina, Blaise, and her beloved great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, October 14, at the funeral home. Interment will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Bridgewater. Friends will be received at the funeral home 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. Tuesday.