Obituary for Joseph "Chito" Garcia
Joseph “Chito” Garcia, 91, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on May 28, 2021. Joe was predeceased by his siblings Sylvia Garcia Lavandera (Ralph, Sr.), Mariano “Chon” Garcia, Jr. (Rosie), Mary Garcia Walker and Margaret Garcia Aguero. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, C. Anne Garcia, his daughter Cindy Garcia, his son Stephen Garcia, and his grandson David. Joe is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifetime friends. He was a native West Tampa boy who began his early years making money by selling newspapers and shining shoes. He worked the Drew Field and downtown Tampa areas. He attended Jesuit High School where he graduated in 1949. He went on to Loyola University in New Orleans, LA, where he graduated in 1952 with a BA degree in World History. While attending Loyola, Joe began his military career during his freshman year. He was in the ROTC, the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. He spent two years in the U.S. Navy and then went into the Naval Reserves in New Orleans with his friends, Gene Caso and Bob Bush. Joe continued his education at the University of Florida College of Law (J.D.) 1957. He began his law career working at Fowler White during the summer. He later worked as the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Tampa. As time went on, he went out on his own with Paul Danahy and Bob Fields and established Danahy, Garcia & Fields, P.A. Later he was the managing partner for Garcia and Fields, P.A. In 2000, Joe joined the firm of Trenam Kemker where he worked until he retired in 2014. While running his law practice, Joe served as Commissioner on the Tampa Port Authority when he was appointed Chairman by Governor Bob Graham, and later reappointed by Governor Lawton Chiles. He remained Chairman for more than 16 years where he was instrumental in purchasing land which allowed the Port to expand and provide a place for the Florida Aquarium, the cruise lines and the Channelside District. Joe was dedicated to his community and the welfare of disadvantaged children. He received many accolades and awards in connection with his charitable work. A few of those were: Captain James McKay Port Achievement Award in 2010, Jesuit Alumnus of the Year, 2010, Community Service Award, Brandon Citizen of the Year 2007, Boys & Girls Club of America Silver Medallion 2006, and Man of the Year 1999, Tampa Port Authority Building named “Joseph Garcia International Center” 1999, Tampa Civitan's Outstanding Citizen of the Year award, the John Paul II Medallion (awarded by the Catholic Diocese), and the Champions of Justice (awarded by the Bay Area Legal Services). Joe and his family were instrumental in the formation of four Boys and Girls Clubs locally. They are very active with Villa Madonna School, Mary Help of Christians, Resurrection Catholic Church in Riverview and a Methodist Church in Brandon. Joe enjoyed life to the fullest. He enjoyed family time and gatherings, trips to their beach house on Anna Maria Island, attending the Yankee Luncheons each year, and always looked forward to his Tuesday ROMEO luncheons. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, June 3, 2021, at the Jesuit High School Chapel in Tampa, with the family receiving friends one hour prior to services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay,” mail to 1307 North MacDill Avenue, Tampa, FL 33607, online donations can be made at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/bgcotb, Jesuit High School, mail to 4701 N. Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL 33614 or online at www.jesuittampa.org (choose the “Giving” tab at the top), and “Salesian Youth Center,” mail to Salesian Development Office, Attn: Theresa Anderson, 315 W. Columbus Drive, Tampa, FL 33602 or online at www.salesiansisters.org or any charity of your choosing.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
3
Jun
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
Jesuit High School
4701 N. Himes Avenue
Tampa, FL 33614
Funeral Mass
Thursday
3
Jun
11:00 AM
Jesuit High School
4701 N. Himes Avenue
Tampa, FL 33614
Memorial Contribution
Salesian Youth Center
Salesian Development Office, Attn: Theresa Anderson
315 W. Columbus Drive
Tampa, FL 33602
315 W. Columbus Drive
Tampa, FL 33602
Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay
1307 North MacDill Avenue
Tampa, FL 33607
Tampa, FL 33607
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