Francisco Garcia

He is survived by his wife Juanita Aldana Garcia, his 4 children; Frank

Garcia, Irma Garcia-Sinclair, Ofelia G. Stoddart, Francisco Garcia,S

grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, great grandchildren and

grandnieces and nephews.

Although he lived in Los Angeles for more than 50 years, he maintained

with much pride, that Veracruz and Michoacan had it over any spot in

the world.

He only obtained a first grade education, and at the age of 10 years, he

was forced to work 16 hours a day as a shepherd in order to help his

mother feed their family of 5 children. Although with such limited

education, Don Pancho had the brain of a computer, he was very sharp

with numbers. As a young teen he worked for an indigenous store

owner in a remote area in the desert hills of Veracruz. In addition he easily

learned about 6 different dialects, of the neighboring indigenous

communities, in order to communicate with the store's customers.

Like so many Mexican immigrants, Kiko's first opportunity to come to

the US, was during the Bracero Farm Worker (cheap labor) Program in the

1940's. Don Pancho continued his strong work ethic, throughout all of

the jobs he held in the US, and was very well liked and respected. He

also had several opportunities to accept management positions,

however unfortunately his lack of the English language wouldn't allow

him.

Don Pancho had a quiet soft spoken demeanor, he was always

consistently warm and friendly, and never in a bad mood. He enjoyed

his daily neighborhood walks. He had many friends whom he greeted

and engaged with, while on his way to the corner store to pick up his

daily Lotto ticket. He also had a great fondness for playing the

machines at the local casino's or Vegas. In 1996 he won a car in Vegas,

playing one of his favorites, the nickel machine.

For many years and on a regular basis, he was his daughter Ofelia's

gardener. Up until four years ago at the age of 89, he stopped mowing

his neighbor's lawn, and his own lawn he just stopped a year ago, and

for many of those years, it was with a push mower, yes a push mower.

Don Pancho was also a devout Catholic, who accompanied his wife to

mass every Sunday.

Despite his suffering from cancer and other illnesses, for several years

"Kiko", "Kiki", "Don Pancho", remained a cheerful, positive and active

presence in his home, AltaMed Senior Center, and with family and

friends. He continued showing warmth, humor and endless storytelling

from his beloved memories of Mexico. He cherished spending time

with his children and grandchildren, for they filled his heart with much

joy!

At the youthful age of 93 years, Francisco Garcia Cortez, beloved and

cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and Godfather,

left this world for the next, on Sunday April 24th.

Don Panchito nacio el 6 de Junio de 1922, en Jalapa, Michocicán, Mexico.

Le sobreviven su esposa Juana Aldana García, sus 4 hijos; Frank García,

Irma García-Sinclair, Ofelia G. Stoddart, Francisco García, 5 nietos; Mathew

y Yesenia Stoddart, Frankie, Becky Y Teresa García, varios sobrinos, y bisnietos.

Aunque vivo mas de 50 años en Los Angeles, siempre estaba muy orgulloso

de el estado de Veracruz y Michoacán, el decia que nada en el mundo se

comparaba. En sus estudios ünicamente termino el primer grado de primaria.

A la edad de 10 años tuvo que trabajar 16 horas al dia, de pastor, para poder

ayudar a su madre, con la comida para 5 hijos. Don Pancho sabia de Computadoras,

era muy listo para las matematicas, de adolecente trabajó en una tienda el cual el dueño

era un señor Indígena., la cual estaba situada muy aislada en los cerros de Veracruz.

Tambien tubo la facilidad de aprender seis dialectos, de la comunidad Indigena que le

rodeaba. para poder comunicarce con los clients. Kiki tubo su primer oportunidad de

llegar a los Estados Unidos, con el programa de Braceros en el año de 1940. Don Pancho

era muy trabajador, tanto en México, como en los Estados Unidos. Era muy querido y

respetado en todos los trabajos que tuvo. Varias veces le propusieron que fuera mayordomo,

pero sin poder hablar Ingles, no lo logro. Don Pancho era un hombre de actitud tranquilo y

calmado. Siempre fue caloroso y amigable, y nunca de mal humor. A diario le gustaba caminar

por el barrio, y por el camina saludaba y platicaba con sus vecinos. Caminaba unas dos cuadras,

hasta llegar a la tienda, donde compraba su boleto de lotería. Tambíen le gustaba jugar en las

maquinas de los casinos locales y en Las Vegas. En 1996 se gano un carro, jugando su maquina

favorita, la de cinco centavos. Por muchos años regularmente, era el jardinero de su hija Ofelia.

En los ultimos cuatro años a la edad de 89 años, paro de cortar el sácate de su vecina, y

ünicamente el año pasado dejo de cortar el sácate de su propio jardin. Por muchos de los años

el utilizo una maquina que empujaba, no era una maquina de gasolina. Don Pancho fue un hombre

devote católico y acumpañaba a su esposa a misa cada Domingo. Aunque sufrió bastante con

Cáncer y otras enfermedades por varios años, "Kiko, Kiki," "Don Pancho", siempre "Don Pancho",

siempre siguió alegre, positivo, y presentemente activo en su casa, en AltaMed centro de Ansiano,

y con su familia y amigos. El cotinüo siendo afectoso, de buen humor, y seguido platicaba las historias

de sus recuerdos de su querido México. Don Pancho apreciaba el tiempo que pasaba con su hijos y

nietos, le llenaba el corazón de mucho alegría. A la edad de 39 años, Francisco García Cortez,

querido y apreciado esposo, padre, abuelo, hermano, tio y padrino, dejo de existir en este mundo,

el domingo 24 de abril, para seguir al siguiente.