Great-grandfather, cement mason, jack-of-all-trades, married 63 years

Antonio Mata Garcia died peacefully, taking his last breath on Wednesday, August 21, at the age of 87.

Born in Terlingua, Texas on June 14, 1937, he was the third youngest child of Rosario Garcia and Santiago Garcia. Tony spent some time in Texas, but later his family moved to the region of Central California known as the “breadbasket of the world,” marked by its extensive agricultural output. He graduated from the eighth grade, then left school in order to help his father in those fields.

He spent the rest of his life working in manual labor to provide for his children and family, exhibiting a physical strength that stayed with him to his last days. Tony married the love of his life Gloria Olivas Garcia in 1959. They were together 63 years and had six children. In 1977, they moved to Claremont, where they both resided until their death.

With only an eighth grade education, he eventually became a cement mason and ultimately created his own successful business, sending all six of his children to private school. He was an expert at brick and cement work, cement driveways, foundations for houses, and many other areas of construction. “He was someone who could fix almost anything, utilizing his street smarts, general curiosity and interest in learning,” his daughter Lisa added. As a testament to this, alongside his brothers, he built his parents their final home in Huron, California, where they resided until they died.

“His self-possessed nature, generosity and sense of humor made him well loved and a source of strength not only for his immediate family, but for his brothers, sisters and countless nieces and nephews,” his family shared.

He is survived by his only surviving sibling, Carmen Shaw of Rancho Cucamonga; children Antonio Garcia, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Robert Daniel Garcia of Pomona, Richard S. Garcia and wife Julie Goewey Garcia of Tucson, Arizona, Lewis Garcia and wife Reina Garcia of Pomona, Mark Garcia of Claremont, and Lisa Garcia and husband David Brown of Los Angeles; grandchildren Kieran Lewis Garcia and wife Christina Gmiterko, Rachel Ponce, Madison Garcia, Faith Garcia and Jonah Garcia-Brown; and great-grandchild Theodore Garcia.

As a tribute to Mr. Garcia, his family, and the countless other families and individuals who are farm workers or laborers, please consider donating to the Central Valley Workers Center at secure.actblue.com/donate/garciamemorialfund, which promotes economic justice and support for the prosperity of working people, including immigrant workers.

A memorial celebration of life and Mass will take place at 10 a.m. Friday September 13 at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, 435 Berkeley Ave., Claremont, CA 91711.

For additional information email Lewis Garcia at Lg121463@gmail.com or Lisa Garcia at quicktamales@gmail.com.