Founder Of Warren's First Pharmacy Hit, Killed By Car

WARREN, NJ — The Warren community is mourning the loss of founder and long-time owner of Warren's Edgewood Pharmacy Salvator Thomas Castronovo. Castronovo, 83, was hit and killed by a car near Iceberg Ice Cream on Saturday, Oct. 19 in Lavallette.

Castranova was hit on Grand Central Avenue and taken to an area hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Fondly referred to as "Tom," "TC,"or "Mr. C" Castronovo and his family's legacy is forever ingrained in the Warren community. Castronovo's father Frank was also a pharmacist who opened his first drug store in 1926 on Houston Street in New York City before the family moved from Brooklyn to Watchung.

Following in his father's footsteps Castronovo went to and graduated from Fordham University’s College of Pharmacy in 1958. In 1961 Castronovo married his wife, Mary Ann and in 1962 he founded and opened Warren's first pharmacy called Edgewood Pharmacy. In 1966, Tom and Mary Ann moved to Warren.

Edgewood Pharmacy provided everything from T.V. tubes to ice cream and also served as the local post office.

In 1987 Castronovo's son Steven became the third generation of pharmacists and continues to run the pharmacy.

"I have very fond memories of going into Edgewood and seeing your dad behind the counter. Then years later seeing Steve and Mr. C working side by side was great! He was always kind and willing to help my family with whatever we needed. He was a really nice person to be around," said Donna Spruck Reynolds on the Higgins Funeral Home's tribute wall.

Castronovo was very much involved in the Warren community as an early member of the Warren Township Lion’s Club he helped to create the annual Warren Lions Club Expo. He also served as the town’s Baseball Commissioner for several years. In addition, he was a member of the 200 Club of Somerset County.

"He cherished his Warren community and touched the lives of so many both personally and professionally. He is remembered as a man with strong values and integrity, a true gentleman with a kind smile. Tom often went above and beyond to help his customers, and he was proud to be able to serve the people in the area for so many years," his obituary stated.

Castronovo also had a home in Lavallette where he enjoyed tending to his flower garden and spending time with family.

He was an avid sports fan who loved the Brooklyn Dodgers, the NY Mets and NY Giants. He loved playing golf and tennis and was a long time member of Plainfield Country Club serving as Club Historian, on the Membership Committee and Chairman of the Greens Committee. Tom also belonged to Round Top Swim Club where he played tennis for many years.

Castronovo is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Ann (Witteman) Castronovo; his children, Thomas V. Castronovo, Steven Castronovo and his wife Donna, Lanie(Castronovo) Colao and her husband Dan; grandchildren, Steffi, Annie, CJ, Sarah and Kevin; brother Robert V. Castronovo and his wife Donna; sister-in-law Ellie McGrath wife of brother-in-law Paul Witteman (deceased); nephew, Brad and nieces Kate and Dana; and many more relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. at Higgins Home For Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd, Watchung. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.

Floral arrangements are welcome or a memorial donation may be made to either The First Tee Metropolitan New York, Plainfield Campus at thefirstteemetny.org to Funding Facility - Plainfield) or Friends of the Lavallette Beautification Committee (FLB) at 1606 Grand Central Ave., Lavallette, NJ 08735.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.