Sail on Tony Garcia

[The_Polly_Roger]

Recently my friend's father-in-law passed away. He was a quiet man and also an American hero. Unfortunately Tony will not be honored with a military funeral and will not be buried in a military cemetary. His body was donated to Stanford to help teach others so even in death he is helping better this country. The family will be getting his ashes back next week for a memorial service.

Below is the obituary that a friend of the family and columnist wrote:

•••••••••••••

Tony Garcia, a member of the paratrooper unit made famous by the book and miniseries “Band of Brothers,” passed away August 18 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 often 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, Tony achieved a degree of celebrity when the book was adapted into an HBO miniseries. He was portrayed by actor Doug Spain in the series. Tony attended reunions of his former unit and even parachuted as recently as September 1999 in the Netherlands in celebration of the 55th anniversary of “Operation Market Garden.”

Anthony Garcia was born October 15, 1924 in Inez, Texas, one of seven children. He grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming. When war broke out, Tony resolved to join the Marines but was told the recruiting quota had already been met. Instead, he joined the Army in 1943 and after having briefly served in a searchlight battalion, 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.”

After returning from Europe, Tony returned to Cheyenne where he finished high school. He then attended college in Iowa. When the Korean War broke out, Tony re-enlisted in the Army and served for three years as a member of the 11th Airborne Division.

With the Korean armistice, Tony returned to the U.S. and relocated to San Francisco, California. 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 San Francisco. He and Nancy lived in San Francisco until 1972, then moved to San Bruno.

His friends remember Tony as a man totally devoted to his family and friends, particularly to Nancy, 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; his sisters Josephine Shelver and Carmen Deshler, his son Damian Garcia, daughter-in-law Monica Garcia and granddaughter Paulina Garcia, son Greg Garcia and granddaughter Ashley Dawkins-Garcia, daughter Kelly Garcia Baskys and son-in-law Julius Baskys and step grandson Darius Baskys, daughter Stephanie Garcia Heck and son-in-law John Heck.

[bravedave]

Blue Skies, Sir.

[Sam]

Sail On!

[Wino you know]

Go with God & rest well, Mr. Garcia. Many thanks and much deep love and admiration from your fellow countryman.

Prayers & Godspeed to the family of this noble and gallant man.

[pbans]

I am humbled.....
Sail On, Mr. Garcia....

[Tiki Bar]

Thank you Mr Garcia, and rest in peace.

[Ceol na Mara]

Go with God & rest well, Mr. Garcia. Many thanks and much deep love and admiration from your fellow countryman.

Prayers & Godspeed to the family of this noble and gallant man.

wWinos