Antonio Miguel Galvez

Antonio “Tony” Miguel Galvez was received by our Lord on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, leaving this earthly world at the age of 85. His loving family surrounded him as he passed over the heavenly bridge following an unexpected and sudden death.

Tony’s late parents, Antonio and Isabel Galvez, celebrated his birth in Havana, Cuba on October 23, 1938. He was the eldest of two children, bringing his parents pride and joy as he developed into an outstanding student, and more importantly, high character young man. Tony graduated from Villanova University with a well-deserved degree in chemical engineering. After graduation, he launched his professional career with the Shell Company in Cuba. In 1966, Tony made the unimaginable decision to flee Cuba and the Castro regime, in order to provide a better life for himself, his young wife and daughter, determined to attain the American dream of freedom and prosperity. He resided in Spain for two years before embarking on his journey to the United States of America. Tony was grateful for the opportunity to live and work in America and instilled his sense of gratitude and work ethic in his children and grandchildren.

Tony worked for several engineering companies in Spain, New York, and New Jersey, until eventually settling in the Houston area in 1974. In Houston, many of his fellow Cuban friends that also made the heartbreaking decision to leave their homeland for better lives joined him.

Tony leaves behind a loving legacy of the family he has guided and countless friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 beautiful years, Carol Mirta Galvez, his three children, Mirta Barbara Damstra of Richmond, Texas; Isabel Beatriz Galvez of San Diego, California; Christopher Anthony Galvez of Katy, Texas; grandchildren, Rachel and Daniel Damstra of Richmond, Texas. He also leaves behind, his sister, Dania Galvez, and her son and beloved nephew, Alexis Huguet, his wife Pilar, and their two children, David and Beatriz, of Havana, Cuba; and several cousins and extended family members living along the east coast of the US. Tony brought joy and happiness to so many through his thoughtless acts of kindness, compassion and love.

Tony was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, always placing the needs of others ahead of his own. As his wife’s health declined over the years, he embraced the opportunity to serve as her sole caretaker, spending every moment of every day at her side to help nurse her back to health. Tony’s family affectionately titled him “Mr. Fix it”. Why buy anything new when you can fix it, even after having it whatever it may be, for over 50 years, todavia trabaja!

He was a very caring, positive, and happy person, always smiling, always available to provide a helping hand and to share his good fortune with those in need. He had many friends in the Cuban community and enjoyed staying in contact with them, this not only included his former work colleagues, but even lifelong friends he graduated with from high school in Cuba, Colegio de Belén. After you met Tony, you had a friend for life that you could trust and depend upon forever. He relished eating Cuban food and especially, dessert, while socializing with his fellow Cubans and newfound friends from the area. He could regularly be found at least once a week, sharing his joy and enjoying lunch with a dear group of friends at one of his favorite local Cuban restaurants such as, Rincon Criollo, La Vina, or Pique’s.

Today, the Sun seems to shine a bit less as his family and friends struggle with the loss of Tony’s quick smile, generous heart, compassion, never ending sense of humor and passion to serve everyone along his path. Fortunately, Tony left a bit of himself in each of us, and we are able to honor his memory by continuing to share his gifts well beyond Tony’s Earthly years.

A funeral mass followed by a brief reception will be at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, Texas, at 10:30AM, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Internment of ashes will follow at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Road Houston, TX 77077. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Casa Juan Diego, P. O. Box 70113, Houston, TX 77270, [email protected]