Joe Cipriano Garcia was born on July 27th, 1921 and passed away on October 14, 2015 at the age of 94 in Aliso Viejo, California. He is survived by wife, Maria Zita Garcia; daughter, Lupe Garcia and fiancé David Neff; son, Dean Garcia and wife Erin Kwon; son, Edwin Garcia and wife Margaret Garcia; 8 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; brother, Elmo Garcia; sister, Dora Garcia. He is predeceased by son, Mark; sisters, Amelia, Josephine, and Cordelia; brothers, Celestino and Placido.

Joe was born in Ojo Caliente, New Mexico to Candido and Emilia Garcia. In 1939, Joe left the family farm and first arrived in San Diego, California with his older brother Celestino. The two took employment at the Hotel del Coronado as bus boys, then waiters. While there, for approximately a year, they resided in the hotel employee dorms. Joe often recounted the great memories that he made there, where he encountered many Hollywood actors who frequented the hotel. Next, they moved to Santa Barbara where they would take similar employment at another hotel.

After some time in Santa Barbara and with the inception of WWII, Joe and Celestino would part ways. Celestino was recruited by the U.S. Army and Joe would head up north to begin work for the U.S. Navy as a civilian contractor at the Bremerton Navy Yard in the state of Washington. During his tenure there, he repaired battle damaged naval ships. His primary job at the ship yard was to repair ships as a sheet metal worker.

After the war, Joe remained in Seattle for several years before returning to California to live in San Francisco. While there he took dance lessons at Arthur Murray dance studios-he was dapper with polite manners and was known as a gentleman and a great dancer. He was a big fan of the movies, music, and cars of the 30's, 40s, and 50s. He asserted that the actors of his-day where "real" actors because they could act, sing and dance with little help from special effects or trick photography. Joe enjoyed orchestra music, watching professional sports, horseracing, and discussions about religion and politics.

Joe met his wife, Maria, during one of his visits back home to Albuquerque. They married shortly after in 1969. Eventually they would move to Los Angeles where they would raise their children-the family often spent the summers going on outings to the beach, going to ball games and taking vacations. During this time, they purchased a rental property in neighboring Pasadena, which Joe managed and maintained for years. In 1990, they moved to South Orange County, California, where they would remain until Joe's passing. Joe called Orange County home and there he enjoyed many years with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Joe thoroughly enjoyed going out on the town, having dinner at the local establishments or just being home and showing his hospitality to any and all who would visit.

Joe was a kind, passionate and generous man. His love for God fueled his desire to share the gospel, help those in need, and forgive unceasingly. His compassion for those in less fortunate circumstances was evident by his lifelong charity to the poor.

Joe left a wonderful mark on hearts of those closest to him and the gratitude felt by knowing him, is enormous. His passing has left a void in our lives and he will forever be missed. Thank you for giving us a lifetime of strength, care and love.