'He was like family.' East Flatbush community mourns death of beloved baseball coach killed in fire

A fire broke out on the second floor of an apartment building near Nostrand Avenue and Cortelyou Road shortly before 7 a.m. Jose Castro, 65, and his mother Maria, 86, were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other residents were injured. Castro spent 41 years coaching with the Bonnie Youth Club, where he was described as loved, passionate, and involved with thousands of players. Friends and neighbors said he served as a mentor and father figure and cared about players’ futures beyond baseball. He helped children participate in programs even when families could not afford the costs. The cause of the fire remained unknown as of Monday night.

"The FDNY says the fire broke out on the second floor of an apartment building near Nostrand Avenue and Cortelyou Road shortly before 7 a.m. Sixty-five-year-old Jose Castro and his 86-year-old mother, Maria, were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other residents were injured in the fire."

"Flowers, candles and baseball memorabilia formed outside the building as a growing memorial for Castro, who spent 41 years coaching with the Bonnie Youth Club. "He was loved," said Kevin Rice, president of the Bonnies. "He coached thousands of players. He was just so involved and passionate about what he did.""

"Friends say Castro's impact stretched far beyond the baseball field. "Someone who cared about the future of his players, whether they were successful in baseball or successful as adults," Rice said. "He just wanted to make sure they accomplished their goals and dreams.""

"Friends say Castro often made sure children could participate in programs even if their families could not afford the costs. The sudden death has shaken the Bonnies community, where Castro was known not only as a coach, but as a mentor and father figure. "Emotional. Struggling," said Matthew Pearson, a friend of Castro's and former Bonnies coach."

Read at News 12 - Long Island