So sad to hear of coach Garcias passing. I played under him at Harper college for 2 years. He was a great coach and an even better human being. My condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

I have many memories with Sam but the ones that stick to my heart are the countless times he has made thoughtful gestures towards my children.  He always made them feel loved, special and his own.  He was a valuable guide, a doting “dad” and a friend to Carlo, Luzee and Camille. And to me, he was a generous and caring brother.   Thank you Sam for the many years of love.  We will miss you dearly but we take comfort in the thought that you will continue to watch over us from the heavens. We love you

Our deepest condolences to the Garcia family.  Vince and Rose have been close friends for many years and we wish we could be there in IL today to celebrate the life your amazing father.  Please know that we have kept you both and the rest of the family in our prayers since we heard of Samson's passing.    We miss and love you both.    Dan and Diana Devine

Tito Sam was so welcoming when I came to visit Chicago in 2019. Tita Mabel is my mum's cousin, but Tito Sam and the whole Garcia family made me feel a part of their immediate family. He went out of his way to make my stay enjoyable, from driving me to the Wisconsin border and waiting a couple of hours while I went outlet shopping, to making sure there was copious amounts of food on the table. You could never doubt his love for his family, and he made sure he showed how proud he was of them. His caring nature and love has extended to his amazing 4 children and their partners, and can be felt all the way here in Australia. My deepest condolences to Tita Mabel, Sheila, Steph, Stein and Vince and the extended family. It was a blessing to have known you Tito Sam.

Hello everyone, I’m Carlo Juco, the nephew of Tita Mabel and Tito Sam. And self-appointed 3rd Garcia son. My mom, Mayaw Macalindong (Tita Mabel’s younger sister), unfortunately couldn’t join us today. I’m here together with my wife, Luzee. We drove from Canada last night straight for 10 hours to be here this morning. And my younger sister as well is here, Camille, who flew in from New York as well this morning.   Tito Sam has always been like a father to me. Always guiding me and mentoring, giving me those eye signals of approval or “think about it” (with eyebrows raised). His very expressive eyes. Our family would always take holiday trips from Manila to Chicago and it would most often involve a road trip or non-stop holiday eating with games and binge-watching. I guess these road trips took a part in my and my wife’s love to keep driving and exploring new places. One very distinct memory that Tito always reminds me is when I was little, and he’d ask me what I wanted to eat, never fails. I’d give him the Golden Arches gesture, all I wanted was McDonald’s and he never disappointed.   Tito Sam taught me one very basic and truly important thing I hold dear. Family ALWAYS comes first. And it shows. He’s built a united front with Tita Mabel and my 4 cousins that I look up to as my Kuya’s and Ate’s.   I made the decision to move to Canada 12 years ago. With just 2 suitcases and really, I didn’t know anyone there but Luzee’s uncle. I took a dishwasher job and lived in a run-down flat on top of the restaurant I worked at. Tito Sam, together with Tita Mabel, Ate Steph, and Kuya Stein drove all the way from Chicago to Toronto to check on me. When Tito saw my living arrangement, I knew he was holding it in but I could see his eyes widen and eyebrows slightly raised. I knew he was worried. Before they left to go back to Chicago, they equipped me with a survival pack of Kraft dinner, a ton of Ramen, Spam, and chef Boyardee. How I will never forget that - and thank you again. Fast forward to 2018, Tito Sam and Tita Mabel drove again to Toronto. This time, I was able to take them around in our car, treat them out to dinner, and take them to our condo. I saw that look in his eye - that look that said “thumbs up”. And true enough, he said to me, “I’m proud of you, Carlo. Seeing where you’ve come from, good job.” I felt that. Because I knew he and Tita Mabel completely understood my situation - similar to how they started in the US with 2 suitcases and with just Ate Sheila.   Thank you for always guiding me, Tito Sam. Thank you for always welcoming us into your beautiful home with open arms, and a case of Dr. Pepper especially for me. Thank you for always looking out for us. And most of all, thank you for sharing your life with us. What a life well-lived and well-loved. We hope you are at peace now, Tito. And hope you’re having a blast up there with the army of angels, watching action and western movies on replay. We know you’ll always be watching over us, being one of the strongest angels heaven has ever welcomed.   My wife asked me if we could fly to Chicago this time. I said, “Tito Sam would always drive to me, let’s drive back to him.”  We’ll miss you, Tito. And again, Thank you.

Hello. I’m Camille, the daughter of Ninang’s youngest sister. Tito Sam and Ninang Mabel always treated me like their own daughter. We even have a group chat called 5th Garcia kid which I always get giddy about. I love it when they call me their bunso.  I’ve been lucky enough to have the Garcias live largely in my life, from when I was a baby to today. And one thing that I’ve learned from them, and that Tito Sam ingrained in all of us, is that family always comes first. He didn’t just speak it, but he lived by it. They would always drop everything whenever my family and I came around and devote their time to us. I made sure to do the same every time he was in the Philippines. I will always remember the pure joy on his face when he would have longganisa and tocino for breakfast; bulalo and all the other stuff he wasn’t allowed to be eating (and how he would smile at me and say “don’t tell ma”), fresh mango shakes and ensaymada. I know they say that there are only 5 love languages but tito Sam showed me there’s a 6th, even more special one that he employs to make you feel loved and cared for - food.  One of my fondest memories with him happened on a very mundane trip to the grocery. Every few minutes he would grab something and look over to me and say “your ma loves this.” By the time we were at the counter, our cart would be full of food and drinks that the family loves. That’s just how he showed you he loved you and was constantly thinking of you, with a fully stocked fridge of all your favorites and a home filled with laughter and adventure.  I miss Tito Sam so much but he left with me the best gift he could possibly ever give - his family.

Sam and I enjoyed going for walks at Hewitt, playing tennis, and eating lunch at Benihana.  Josh Byer

My deepest sympathy to all of you. Your family is and always has been the embodiment of what a family should be, so full of love and joy and support. Sam made everyone he met, even briefly like me, feel welcomed and important and like a small part of that amazing family. May warm memories comfort you all in this difficult time. His love will undoubtedly live on in and strengthen you.

With deepest sympathy, we are thinking of your loving family during this difficult time.

My condolences for your loss. Sheila and I became friends during high school and I have many fond memories of hanging out at the Garcia’s house where everyone was always welcomed. My most endearing memory of Mr Garcia was when he drove Sheila, Jill and I to Crystal Lake for a NHS picnic. It seemed like a long drive at that time and he became philosophical while driving and chitchatting telling us the friendship we had forged during high school would become a lifelong friendship that would bring us together for our weddings and other life events. His dad wisdom to us that day as young high schoolers was very true. He was not shy to share his wisdom which was a true blessing.

Samson is my second cousin.  There were many of us about the same age.  Julie (Villanueva Panganiban) and I (Ceres VIllanueva Cawagas Busa) were best of friends among our age group.  Samson was our Manong, a year older.  On Friday afternoons when we were all back from school, he somehow had time to tell stories and give us life advice.  We intently listened to his philosophical lectures.  He was going to UP Diliman. Julie and I thought of him as the smartest cousin.  One particular lesson he gave was "Why are people not satisfied with just what they have?"  The longing for something bigger  and more grand is an obsession.  Your have a decent, comfortable house, but would it be nicer to have something bigger or modern.  See, he would say, why is it that such is never enough to give you pleasure.   At the end, material things would not give you happiness.     He was very professorial, conducting his speech  practicing on his younger cousins.  Julie and I were always happy listening to Samson.  This story is a life story that I remember most and which I apply to my upbringing.  The lesson is simply to appreciate your blessings  and be thankful.    Julie and I in our quiet moments like to remember Samson.

Making certain my regards are posted for you all. My heart is with you all at this sad time. He was such a fine and kind man. I feel so fortunate to have known him.  Fond memories will remain forever in my heart and all of yours I am sure.  Love to all . Nordean

OBITUARY

Samson V. Garcia

18 November, 1950 – 19 April, 2022

Glueckert Funeral Home

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