In loving memory of MARIO GARCIA CRUZ

2/19/1937 - 7/2/2017

Location: Glendale, California

Visits: 30,049

This memorial was created in honor of my father MARIO GARCIA CRUZ of Glendale, California. MARIO was born on February 19, 1937 in Cabaiguán, Las Villas, Cuba and passed on July 2, 2017. Known as “Tatico” to his close family and childhood friends, he was the fourth and youngest child of Ramón García and Dolores Cruz.

Mario was an avid lover of the sea and as a teenager and young adult he spent his Summers in Varadero beach, Cuba swimming and harpoon fishing while his parents tended to their bed and breakfast business at the beach.

Exiled in 1962, he emigrated to the United States on a small boat seeking freedom accompanied by a cousin, some friends and hurricane Flora. Upon arriving in Miami, Mario soon joined the U.S. Army where he trained with other recent Cuban immigrants to return to Cuba to overthrow the communist dictatorship. He later received an honorable discharge from the Army along with special honorary Veteran’s status.

After meeting on Miami Beach, he married the love of his life, Armida Carlton Hobart and they moved to Chicago where they had their children and where both found employment at United Air Lines. They worked together side by side for many years at United. Mario retired from United in 2001, after nearly 40 years of employment there.

The couple moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970’s where they eventually settled in Glendale, California. Mario was a devoted husband, father of two and grandfather. He was always very active and liked to keep busy, even after retirement. He could always be found working in his backyard tending to the lawn, his fruit trees or working on his most recent home improvement project. To relax, he liked watching Dodger games on TV, playing dominoes and enjoying a good whiskey.

Mario passed away peacefully in his Glendale, California home on July 2nd, 2017 at the age of 80. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of just shy of 50 years, a brother and his sister. He is survived by his two children, three grandchildren, his son-in-law and his older brother. Mario will be interred with full military honors at the South Florida National Cemetery in Palm Beach County, Florida alongside his beloved wife, following a private family memorial.