Jose Castorena; Attorney, Latino Activist

Jose Castorena, 70, an attorney who fought for Latinos’ civil rights. A native of Los Angeles, he served in the Navy and earned degrees from Cal State Los Angeles, Simpson College in Iowa and Southwestern University. A prolific writer and political activist, Castorena declined offers from Westside law firms and maintained his small office on Cesar Chavez Avenue in the heart of East Los Angeles. He was respected nationwide as a quiet, effective spokesman and champion of Latinos. Castorena, a philanthropist within his community, was a deacon in the Divine Savior Presbyterian Church of East Los Angeles. On Jan. 4 in East Los Angeles of a heart attack.