Antonio Garcia's Obituary
Antonio “Tony” Garcia passed away on Monday, August 5, 2019 at Stanford ValleyCare Hospital, in Pleasanton, CA. He was born in Oceanside, CA on January 20, 1943 to Ygnacio “Poncho” Garcia and Vicenta (Montelongo) Garcia. He attended Tennyson High School, in Hayward — Class of ‘61. He excelled at track and field, and wore his letterman’s sweater, with pride, to his fiftieth class reunion. He married Barbara Jean (Camacho) Garcia, his childhood sweetheart, on July 1, 1961, and started their family soon after, eventually having three children: Eleanor, Stacey, and Scott. Happily married for nearly four decades, Tony was widowed on July 20, 2000.Tony was definitely what you would call a family man, as it was what was most important in his life. Not just his nuclear family, but his entire family — the generations that came before, and after his. Not only a provider, but very present in the kids’ activities and school; he attended all the sports his girls participated in. Still, that paled in comparison, once Scott signed up for Little League. That was a family function in itself; and he held posts, within the organization, from groundskeeper to Union City National Little League President, continuing on through to Big League and High School ball. Tony was always good with his hands, and mechanically inclined. He put that skill set to work, and became a forklift mechanic and forklift/machine maintenance mechanic at Western Forklift and Coca-Cola Enterprises, respectively. He was very proud that “a guy like him” was able to earn a living doing what he loved: “wrenching on things” and making them run again. He was Shop Steward, belonging to IAM local 1546 and retired from Coke in 1999, after twenty-two years of service. Prior to retirement Tony and Barbara left the Bay Area and bought a home in Murphy’s, CA, a gold mining town in the Sierra foothills, a region they had long had their hearts set on – where he made a whole other set of friends. Tony’s second love would have to be cars, classic cars to be exact. He’s had good and plenty throughout the years, with his current ride being an award-winning, custom ‘54 Merc — his pride and joy. To keep his mind and hands busy he would often stay in the Bay Area and go to “work” at his son-in-law’s – Mike’s shop – and tinker around with cars. He was also a collector of antiques and old (and new) friends. He was a people magnet, who had a magnetic personality and attracted and held fast to many friendships — some as far back as kindergarten! He was a founding member of the “Elites” car club, a family oriented club, mostly comprised of friends from his schooldays. He was a current member of the “West Coast Customs,” and probably an honorary member of half a dozen others. There was hardly a person he met wherein they did not become fast friends, or family, in his eyes and heart, nor hardly a place he went that he didn’t run into someone he knew — or meet someone new.As if his social circles weren’t big enough, he also belonged to the PRUMA Hall, a Puerto Rican social club, and was a longtime 49er season ticket holder. If you did a Venn diagram, he would be front and center — as expected — and the rest of the image would look as if it had been drawn by a “Spirograph”. Between school and work; little league and pro football; social and car clubs; all manner of friends and relatives; or strangers on the street; Tony was forever making, being, and holding-dear friends. One of those friends, Rita Austin, became so much more. She, too, lived in this picturesque region, where they got to know one another when she became his boss. (He took a part time job, with the county, as a driver.) She earned her way into Tony’s heart and family, and he was quite blessed to have shared the last seventeen plus years of his life with someone who loved and cared for him as deeply as she. Her love and caring made it possible for him to stay in the town he loved, where he wanted to live out his years, and they were able to make a home of their own. As their relationship evolved so, too, did each family and he became, in essence, a grandfather to Rita’s grandchildren, and that of a stern, yet benevolent, father figure for her girls.Throughout his time, on this earth, Tony had a zest for life and a determined spirit. His passing was unexpected; the loss immeasurable. Those left to honor his love and memory are his three children and their spouses: Eleanor Garcia & Mike Bogue, Stacey Garcia & Jeff Perry, and Scott & Monique Garcia; five grandchildren: Eric & Cherry-Ronaele Bogue, Candi Sandoval & Kevin Perry, and Victoria Garcia; three great-grandchildren: Kiara & Ky-mani; Jayden & Cameron; a sister and brother: Alisia and Ramón Garcia, respectively; and many nephews and nieces; his loving partner: Rita Austin; her daughters: Jolene & Charlene Humes, and Kelly Fanelli; and grandchildren. Tony was preceded in death by his parents; his wife: Barbara Jean (Camacho) Garcia; his sisters: Maria Summers and Margarita Sandoval. Tony Garcia, a dedicated father – a family man — and friend. He will be remembered as a caring, generous, and fun-loving soul, who was larger than his 5’4” frame, and life itself. He will be deeply missed, but not forgotten, by those whose lives and hearts he touched.Services will be held at:CHAPEL OF THE CHIMES, 32992 Mission Blvd., Hayward, CA 94544Visitation: Saturday, August 17, 2019 — 5:00-9:00 PMVigil: Saturday, August 17, 2019 — 6:30 PMFuneral: Sunday, August 18, 2019 — 11:00 AM — Pastor Manuel Aguilar officiating.The family would like to extend an invitation to bring your hot rod, or firme ride, to celebrate Tony’s love of life and cars with a commemoratory cruise, from the mortuary to the reception.Reception to follow at: Marina Community Center, 15301 Wicks Blvd., San Leandro, CA 94579
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