Last modified: Sunday, May 20, 2001 10:00 PM PDT Castillo rewarded for doing good deed in November Travis Bommersbach Heroes come in all varieties. David Castillo, Nyssa, could possibly be considered one. He is a garbage truck driver for Ontario Sanitary Service Inc., Ontario. Because of the 31-year-old's quick thinking and watchful eyes, the life of a Vale man was saved. Castillo's work truck route takes him to the outskirts of Vale, Jordan Valley, Harper and Juntura. One day in late November 2000, Castillo was picking up garbage on his route along Graham Boulevard when he noticed from the corner of his eye what he thought to be a figure laying in the snow. Castillo's hunch served him well. Jack Thode had been battling cancer. He was home alone as his wife, Linda, had already left for work. When Thode stepped outside he fell on the ice in front of his home. The fall had rendered him disoriented and he could not get up, Castillo said. "I just jumped out of my truck and asked him if he needed any help," Castillo said. "He said yeah' so I picked him up and brought him inside." Castillo then called Ontario Sanitary Service on the radio in his truck and paramedics were called to the scene. The truck driver helped Thode inside his home in efforts to warm up his nearly frozen body. "The fall cut him up a little bit," Castillo said, "so I took out my handkerchief and wiped him up." Castillo finds it hard to consider himself a hero. He said what he did was an act anyone would have done. "I wasn't going to leave until I knew he would be all right," Castillo said. "I would have done it for anybody because if something like that would ever happen to my mom or dad I'd want somebody to help them." Castillo may not consider himself a hero, but to Tauni Thode, Jack Thode's daughter-in-law and neighbor, her family could not think of a way to repay Castillo. So, the Thodes purchased a gift certificate to Fiesta Guadalajara for Castillo and his family. Although Jack Thode died in March, Tauni Thode said if it wasn't for Castillo's awareness that cold winter day, Jack may not have lived until March. "David was great, absolutely great," Tauni said. "He stayed with Jack until the ambulance arrived. "If David wouldn't have been there I don't know," Tauni Thode said. "He could have frozen to death." Castillo's actions carry over every day into his work, according to his boss, Scott Wilson, owner and manager at Ontario Sanitary Service. "He's a good employee," Wilson said. "We would like to think anyone would have done the same thing, but we're even more proud of David because he is such a good guy."