In Loving Memory

George Augustus Castellion, 95, of Stamford, CT died on April 23, 2026 at Maplewood Senior Living in Darien, CT.

He was born May 22, 1930, in North Tonawanda, NY to the late Nora and Clarence Castellion. He graduated from the University of Buffalo with a BA in Chemistry. He then received his PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Rochester. His employment spanned three careers: invention and R&D leadership; marketing; and consulting in the front end of new product development. His patented inventions include the electrochromic rearview mirror, now a multimillion dollar industry; and the key cost-reduction step in producing Minocin, a widely used, broad-spectrum antibiotic. He is the author of peer-reviewed publications on chemistry and new product development, and an editor of The PDMA Handbook of New Product Development.

He had lifelong enthusiasm for music of all sorts ranging from playing in a dance band in college to listening to his beloved Bach and Tchaikovsky, and to singing, which first caught the attention of his wife, Caryl. He was a charter subscriber to the New York City Ballet, captivated by how the choreography gave physical form to the music. He enjoyed hiking and backpacked the Rocky Mountains from the San Juans in Colorado to the Canadian Rockies in Alberta. He was a voracious reader of mystery novels, valuing alignment of the British term for detective, inquiry agent, with his third career. He planned, planted and nurtured a dahlia garden that brought him much joy for many years. George was also quite the wine enthusiast, and loved making recommendations for family gatherings and for event planning for Shippan Gourmet.

He was President of the United Way of Stamford, President of the Product Development & Management Association, and VP, Development of the PDMA Research Foundation. He served on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Product Innovation Management, as an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Stamford, and as a member of the boards of other civic, professional and religious associations.

He is survived by his wife, Caryl Storrs Castellion, a daughter Nina Castellion of Somerville, MA, two sons, Lee (Diana) Castellion of Littleton, CO, Peter (Kalie) Riordan of Darien, CT; his sister Yvonne Savory of Hamilton, MT; five grandchildren, Nate (Sarah) Cooper of Peaks Island, ME, Darielle (Cody) Labriola of Southington, CT, Gillian Riordan and Luke Riordan, both of Darien, CT, Caitlyn Castellion of Littleton, CO; and two great-grandchildren, Millie Labriola and Leon Cooper. He was predeceased by his brother, Alan William Castellion, his sister Cynthia DeChano, and two daughters, Meg Riordan Cooper and Laura Riordan.

A private memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Stamford.