Rolando J. Castellanos, 89, Sauk Rapids

January 14, 1926 - November 12, 2015

A Celebration of Life will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 16, 2015 at Peace United Church of Christ in St. Cloud for Rolando J. Castellanos, age 89, who passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday at the St. Cloud Hospital. Rev. John Fiscus will officiate and burial will be at Benton Cemetery, Sauk Rapids. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, November 15, 2015 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Sauk Rapids and one hour prior to the services at the church in St. Cloud.

Rolando was born Jan. 14, 1926 in Baire, Cuba to Oscar & Ines (Collazo) Castellanos. Rolando met Aleida in Elia, Cuba in 1945 by chance on a bike ride to work one day. They fell in love and married 4 years later on Dec. 19, 1949. That love blessed them with 5 beautiful children, 4 being born in Cuba with the youngest being born in the U.S. shortly after their arrival to the U.S. in 1968. They were forced to leave behind their oldest son, who would join the family later in 1978 in Sauk Rapids. They lived in Connecticut until 1975 when Rolando wanting to keep his family together, moved to Sauk Rapids MN, where his oldest daughter Alina was moving to after meeting and marrying Donald Manea, a native of Sauk Rapids. Shortly after moving to Sauk Rapids, he along with Alina, Donald and Sons Juan and Oscar opened Manea’s Meats, which continues to be family owned and operated. It was the pride of his life, 2nd to his family. Rolando was a proud man who loved his 2 countries equally, he was thankful for all he had. Every person he ever met was greeted with a warm “amigo” hug. His love for our mother continued with blessings of their 5 children, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren who all loved their Pio. That love will live forever in our hearts.

Survivors include his daughters and sons, Alina (Don) Manea of Sauk Rapids, Rolando (Martha) Castellanos, Jr. of Woodbury, Oscar (Veronica) Castellanos of Sauk Rapids, Juan (Marion) Castellanos of Sauk Rapids and Cusi (Scott) Radzak of Sauk Rapids; sisters, Raquel (Agustin) Guerra of Sartell and Enid Castellanos of Coral Gables, FL, and many nieces and nephews; 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Rolando was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Aleida on Aug. 9, 2012; and brother, Oscar.

Our family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to: the nurses and staff at the St. Cloud Hospital, all those at Visiting Angels that cared for him, a “big Rolando hug” to Dr. Melissa McClure for whom he cared for deeply.

In lieu of flowers donations are preferred to the CentraCare Hospice.

Manea’s Meats will be closed on Monday in honor of Rolando.