We at PCEH were deeply saddened to learn that Dr. Pepe passed away on Monday, May 25th. His embodied the compassion, dedication, and selflessness that we strive to live out each day. His service in the Day Center and on Street Outreach touched, improved, and at times saved the lives of the men and women he encountered.
We are grateful for the wish of Dr. Pepe and his family to support our continued effort to END homelessness in Philadelphia at this time.
Dr. Jose (Pepe) Castillo
Click here to see Dr. Pepe's obituary in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Below are a few tributes from staff and board members. Attached at the bottom is an article from our newsletter in the Spring of 2003.
"I cannot leave for work until homage is paid to a man whose heart surely exceeds the size of five or even ten of us. Dr. Jose Castillo –Dr.Pepe -- came to volunteer in the Day Center and on Street Outreach in 1997. Dr. Pepe would help anyone, anywhere without question – if you were hurt – you became his responsibility, and he would fuss over you. I know – not because of who you are but because he lived the Hippocratic Oath – every minute, every day.
If you ever visited his office on 22nd Street in Center City, after you walked down the steps and opened the door, you would find a quiet waiting room packed with people who have no access to health care – he cared for the invisible workers, largely Mexican, from his native country. But I know Irishmen, Muslims and many others – he couldn’t imagine prejudice – who sought his help. Not until he absolutely had to, did he apply and receive Medicaid payments.
There are so many stories; Roosevelt captured one in a Streets article. One harsh winter, I saw a form lying in a small street in the back of our building. I went downstairs, and Roosevelt and Dr. Pepe went to see if the lump was human. The man was very ill – physically and mentally – but it took days for Dr.Pepe to persuade him to come in. That man lost his toes, but regained his life, and never stopped singing Dr. Pepe’s praises.
There are thousands of stories – a boy aged 12 watched his mother die of cancer in a small village in Mexico and vowed to help people. From Vietnam to Mexico to migrant workers in Chester County to the thousands who sought a better life in this country to the Day Center at 802 – one slight man was a giant.
I am reminded of the words spoken to Scout when her father exited the courtroom at the end of the trial in To Kill a Mockingbird: 'Stand up, Scout, your father is passing.' Indeed, all of us in the PCEH/802 world are standing."
Phyllis Ryan Jackson
Executive Director
"Philanthropy is performed in many ways and for many reasons. For me, the most noble form is in the giving of ones time and heart, with no desire for praise or recognition, to help those of us who are less fortunate than we are. No one more embodied this than Dr. Pepe. Our entire community is lessened by his loss."
Steve Shapiro
Board President
"Dr. Pepe truly was a selfless and special man, aside from being a gifted and unselfish medical professional. I have had the privilege of knowing him and his lovely wife, Nelia, for many years. The City has really lost someone without peer, and it will be difficult, if even possible, to replace him in the community and for those for whom he worked so hard to make their lives better with no expectation of receiving anything in return.
I will miss seeing his smiling face!"
Tamara L. Traynor
Board Member
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Pepe. I can recall all the great moments we shared together at 802 and the tremendous contributions he made to the clients we served.
His legacy will live on in the hearts of those he has touched with his selfless service. The world has truely lost a great man. Let the angels rejoice at his homecoming."
Roosevelt Darby, Jr.
long-time Staff Member
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