Armando Castroverde

Armando Castroverde—life of the party, karaoke aficionado, lover of Bombay Sapphire martinis (not dirty), stogie connoisseur, and legendary dad and husband—said his final “yo yo yo” on May 24, 2024. The world is a little less bright and a lot less funny without him in it. 

Armando was born in Havana, Cuba on December 17, 1952, to Lourdes Barraqué Castroverde and Armando Castroverde, Sr. After permanently immigrating to the United States in 1958, Armando had to grow up fast by adapting to a new country, learning a new language, and experiencing the loss of his father at a very young age. But he found moments of joy growing up in Miami and Boston, eating Good & Plentys, serving as an altar boy, drumming up trouble in his band The Agents of Sound, and making a notable appearance on the local children’s program Romper Room.

When Armando was just 15 years old, he got his pilot’s license, and he proudly served as an airplane mechanic for the United States Air Force from 1970 to 1974. He was stationed in Guam, which was apparently not far enough away to keep his mom from hand-delivering some albums he had requested for her to mail to him. (Who can blame her, though? It’s hard to live without this guy.)

A lot happened for Armando in the years that followed: he married his first wife, became a captain for FedEx, brought three spirited daughters into this world, and moved to Memphis, TN, where he would live for a significant portion of the adventure that was his life.

Armando’s life in Memphis consisted largely of being the most kind, generous, hilarious provider for not only his girls but for pretty much anyone he encountered. At FedEx, he was a mentor to many young pilots looking to get their start and was known for his use of colorful language in the cockpit. He made friends wherever he went, likely due to his penchant for cracking jokes and bringing treats to anyone lending him a hand (whether a Wendy’s Frosty for a bank teller or a box of donuts for the baggage handlers at the airport.) 

His whole world was dedicated to making sure his daughters got an education, and it was one of his life’s greatest joys to see them all graduate from St. Mary’s Episcopal School (even if it did mean sitting through 9 Christmas pageants) and then college and graduate school. Armando loved taking care of the people around him—he made the best lime chicken, hosted countless backyard parties around his prized pool (and hot tub that makes you sweat), and kept the fridge stocked with taquitos and Dr. Pepper for his daughters and their friends. He was as resourceful as he was kind and thought of himself as the Cuban MacGyver. He could find a solution to any problem, whether fashioning a star for his Christmas tree out of a cereal box and aluminum foil or repurposing his cigar boxes to house school supplies.

Armando’s life changed forever in 2005 when he went on a blind date at Bahn Thai in Midtown Memphis—a small leap of faith that marked the start of the love story with his beloved wife, Marian Castroverde. In true Armando fashion, he proposed two years later at the finish line of the St. Jude Marathon surrounded by many friends and much fanfare. Armando and Marian married in 2008, celebrating at Memphis Central Station—where not a single balloon was present. 

Armando and Marian built their life together with big love, honesty, generosity, and so much fun. Their years together were filled with infamous Halloween bashes, runs with the kids at Youth Villages, and road trips to marathons across the country with Armando leading the cheering section with relentless cowbell. Goose and Mav, as they affectionately called each other, were a dynamic duo, and Armando loved Marian’s two children as his own.

No matter where Armando went, he created community around him, and his last chapter in Blue Mountain Beach, FL, was no different. He and Marian retired there in 2016 after falling in love with the tranquility of a quiet life near the beach. They built new traditions like enjoying pristine beach sunsets, polishing their kitchen titles of chef and sous-chef on Taco Fridays, and staying active with gardening and daily runs.

Armando loved every minute of his life in paradise, and he passed away while doing something he truly loved—living a life of fitness running on the trails with his wife. He spent his last weeks traveling the country with his favorite copilots, Marian and their faithful dog, visiting friends and family. He was blessed to meet his first granddaughter. Although we are devastated by this loss, we know that Armando lived a life filled with more love and joy and gusto than most people can ever hope for. 

Armando is preceded in death by his parents, Armando Castroverde, Sr. and Lourdes Barraqué Castroverde. He is survived by his wife Marian; daughters Sasha, Mishi, and Amanda; sons-in-law Barlow and Santiago; granddaughter Esme; stepchildren; sister Berdie; and dog Louie. 

There will be a closed memorial service with immediate family at Gulf Cemetery in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. To give Armando the final shebang he deserves, a celebration of life will be held in Memphis in the coming months (details to come). 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Youth Villages, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or the organization of your choice. You can also honor Armando by enjoying a martini and a cigar with a friend or doing something kind for someone in your path.