Luis Alberto Castillo passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Tampa General Hospital, surrounded by his beloved family. Luis Alberto was born on October 26, 1935, in La Ceiba, Honduras to Luis Alberto Sr. and Consuelo Castillo. At the age of nine, he moved to New Orleans where he stayed with family to undergo a series of medical surgeries. Each summer he looked forward to returning home to Honduras, especially because he would get to travel in the Dole Food Company passenger steamships that docked right in La Ceiba. He graduated from Pearl River County Agricultural High School in Poplarville, Mississippi in 1955, and received a BS in Business Administration from Loyola University, New Orleans in 1959. Upon graduating from college, Luis Alberto moved back to his hometown in Honduras and ran a third-generation family ice cream manufacturing business for over 30 years. During the span of his career, Luis Alberto was an active member of the Lions Club where he served in numerous charity projects, including year-around U.S. medical missions. He was also a member of the Catholic organizations Caballeros de Suyapa , and the Movimiento Familiar Cristiano , which he joined in his twenties.

Luis Alberto married Celia Batres in 1962, and they had four children (Julio, Ricky, Jorge, and Celia), eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was an exceptionally loving son, husband, father, and grandfather.

After his retirement from the family ice cream business, Luis Alberto was named Consul General for Honduras in Tampa, Florida from 1996 – 1998. He later returned to live in La Ceiba, Honduras for eleven more years. In 2009, Luis Alberto and his wife Celia permanently moved to a suburb of Tampa, Florida where he was an active member of his beloved St. Stephen Catholic Church.

Luis Alberto was passionate about life and had a genuine interest in people. He was a wholehearted listener and was always eager to offer wise counsel and serve others. He had a warm, kind-hearted spirit and charming personality. He had a vivid recollection of life events and amused others with his fun and colorful stories. Ever-present in the social scene, Luis Alberto was widely regarded as a principled, honorable man, as well as a true gentleman. Luis Alberto was a lifetime Bridge player, an avid reader, and a classy dancer. From time to time, he delighted guests playing classic romantic oldies in his piano.

Luis Alberto is survived by his wife Celia, his sons Julio (Nancy), Ricky (Olga), Jorge (Romina), his daughter Celia Consuelo, and by his brother, Rudy and his sister, Maribel. Luis Alberto was preceded in death by his parents, Luis Alberto Castillo Sr., and Consuelo, and by his brother, Mario.