Tony Garcia Obituary

GARCIA, Tony - A member of the paratrooper unit made famous by the book and miniseries "Band of Brothers," passed away August 18, 2005 from the effects of a stroke he suffered earlier in the month. He was 80. A kind, gentle, generous man with a playful sense of humor that belied his quiet demeanor, Tony loved children and spending time with his family. In 1992, Tony's World War II Airborne Company became the subject of "Band of Brothers," a best-seller by noted historian, Stephen Ambrose. Nine years later the book was adapted into an HBO miniseries and Tony was portrayed by actor Doug Spain. Anthony Garcia was born October 15, 1924 in Inez, TX. He grew up in Cheyenne, WY. When war broke out, Tony resolved to join the Marines but was told the recruiting quota had been met. Instead, he joined the Army in 1943 and then volunteered for airborne training, becoming a member of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. He first jumped into combat in the Netherlands as part of "Operation Market Garden." Tony later fought at the Battle of the Bulge, participated in the taking of the strategically-located town of Foy in Belgium, and was with the 101st when it entered Germany and captured the Nazi town of Berchtesgarten and Hitler's "Eagle's Nest." Tony returned to Cheyenne where he finished high school and attended college in IA. Tony re-enlisted for the Korean War and served for three years as a member of the 11th Airborne Division. Tony returned to the U.S. and relocated to San Francisco. In 1955 Tony began to work as a warehouseman for Macy's, where he was employed for 32 years. On Dec. 13, 1958, he married his beloved Nancy at St. Dominic's Church, in S.F. They lived in San Francisco until 1972, then moved to San Bruno. His friends remember Tony as a man devoted to his family and friends, especially Nancy, who has MS, for whom he cared for 17 years after his retirement. Following his stroke, his chief concern while in the hospital was returning home to care for her. Tony is survived by his wife, Nancy; sisters, Josephine and Carmen; son, Victor; daughter-in-law, Monica and granddaughter, Paulina; son, Greg and granddaughter, Ashley; daughter, Kelly and son-in-law Julius; and step grandson, Darius; daughter, Stephanie and son-in-law John. A Memorial will be held September 30, 12:30pm at St. Dominic's in S.F.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Sep. 11, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Tony Garcia

3 Entries

Mike Aschieris

September 13, 2005

Mr. Garcia was a great man. He will be missed by all who knew him.

He will be missed.

Currahee.

Michael

Rich Riley

September 13, 2005

My deepest and most heartfelt condolences on the passing of this Great American and fine human being. I was fortunate enough to be able to meet Mr. Garcia at the E Co. Reunion in 2002, along with his son Greg. Although we only spent a short time together talking, I am truly a better person because of the time he gave me. I am proud to have a picture of Mr. Garcia displayed in my home. This great man will be missed, but will always be remembered, and never forgotten.

May God Bless the Garcia Family.

Respectfully,

Rich Riley

Strongsville, Ohio

Eva Espe

September 12, 2005

To Tony's Family,

I worked at Macy's ECDC and knew Tony. Everyone liked him. I remember him telling me about a house he had in Twain Harte and how he loved it there. He said he wanted to retire there. My husband and I bought a home in Sonora last year. While up there this summer I found the listing for Tony in the phone book and tried numerous times to see if he was at the number listed for Twain Harte. I told my husband if it was indeed him that I would love to drop by and see him again and talk about the old days at Macy's. Now I know why I could not reach anyone. Sunday I was checking the obits on line and saw Tony's name and I was saddened. I was truly amazed and dumb founded to read what I read about his life. I had no clue this man had done all this for his country. My husband also worked at Macy's and recalled him and was totally shocked as I was that Tony had been in the "Band of Brothers". We had watched the series on HBO never knowing that we knew one of the survivors personally. I called some of our old Macy's friends who knew Tony and they were totally surprised about his past also. I feel privliged to have known him. I'm only sorry that I didn't get to see him one more time before he departed our world. You must be very proud of him. His grandchildren will be able to pass on the story of their grandpa to their children and he will never be forgotten. My sympathy to all of you on the loss of such a wonderful man.

Sincerely,

Eva Espe

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results