Former Delaware Governor and U.S. Representative Mike Castle died Thursday, August 14, at age 86 in Greenville, Delaware. Castle, who served more than four decades in Delaware politics, was the state’s last Republican governor and longest-serving member of Congress in Delaware history.
Castle died at the Country House in Greenville, where he lived with his wife of 33 years, Jane DiSabatino. His death was attributed to a long illness, according to an obituary posted by Chandler Funeral Home.
The Wilmington native began his political career in 1966 when he was elected to the Delaware General Assembly. Castle served as both a state representative and senator before becoming lieutenant governor under Pete du Pont from 1981 to 1985. He then served two terms as Delaware’s 69th governor from 1985 to 1992.
In 1993, Castle was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served nine consecutive terms until 2011. His 18 years of service earned him recognition as Delaware’s longest-serving representative in the state’s history. Castle was among Delaware’s most successful politicians, never losing a race until his stunning upset defeat in the 2010 Republican primary for U.S. Senate to Christine O’Donnell.
During his tenure in Congress, Castle became a leader of centrist Republicans, establishing himself as a fiscal conservative and social moderate. He supported a pay-as-you-go policy for both spending and tax cuts and played significant roles in improving child nutrition programs and establishing the No Child Left Behind education reform program.
Castle’s signature legislative achievement was the commemorative quarters program featuring coins honoring each state, starting with Delaware. The Numismatic Guaranty Company dubbed him “The Coinage Congressman” for his efforts. The quarters program boosted federal revenues as coins were taken out of circulation by collectors. He also helped establish the Presidential Dollar coins program beginning in 2007 and the America the Beautiful Quarters program honoring national parks and monuments starting in 2010.
In addition to his numismatic achievements, Castle co-sponsored the Brady Bill, which required a five-day waiting period for gun purchases and implemented computerized instant background checks. The legislation was named after James Brady, President Ronald Reagan’s press secretary who was shot during a 1981 assassination attempt.
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer ordered flags flown at half-staff for one week in Castle’s honor. Meyer noted that Castle visited every single school in the state during his gubernatorial tenure, demonstrating his commitment to public service and education.
Former President Joe Biden, who worked alongside Castle during their years commuting to Washington, described Castle as dignified and thoughtful. Biden indicated that Castle “was defined by his integrity, and for that reason, you couldn’t find another member of Congress who would say a bad word about him.”
U.S. Senator Chris Coons, who defeated Castle’s eventual Republican primary opponent in the 2010 general election, praised Castle’s character. Coons noted their respectful campaign against each other and indicated that he grew to admire Castle even more through the process.
Castle was born on July 2, 1939, in Wilmington to a DuPont patent attorney. He graduated from Tower Hill School before earning a degree in economics from Hamilton College in 1961 and a law degree from Georgetown University in 1964. Castle could trace his family lineage to founding fathers Benjamin Franklin and Daniel Carroll.
Before entering politics, Castle worked as an associate at Connolly, Bove and Lodge, eventually becoming a partner. He later started his own law firm with Democrat Carl Schnee, who was later appointed U.S. attorney for Delaware. The pair also became part owners of the Bottle & Cork, a popular Dewey Beach establishment in the 1970s.
During his gubernatorial tenure, Castle supported key measures including the state’s banking industry development and anti-takeover law for corporations. He was instrumental in establishing the Transportation Trust Fund, which financed major state road projects including Delaware Route 1.
Castle enjoyed Halloween traditions, following his predecessor’s custom of greeting visitors at Woodburn, the Governor’s Mansion in Dover, while wearing a Frankenstein costume. He extended this tradition to parades throughout Delaware’s three counties.
In 2013, Castle was honored with the naming of the Michael N. Castle Trail, a nine-mile recreational path along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal that attracts hundreds of thousands of outdoor enthusiasts annually.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on August 22 at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Church in Greenville. The service will be livestreamed on the State of Delaware’s YouTube page and Facebook page. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Wilmington Country Club, with both events open to the public. Visitation for family and friends will occur from five to eight p.m. on August 21 at Chandler Funeral Home on Concord Pike.
Castle is survived by his wife Jane and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Louisa Johnston Castle and Ann Castle Boswell and brother James Manderson Castle III.
