Michael William Garcia's Obituary
Michael Garcia, my wonderful husband, love of my life, and my rock, passed from this world on to the next part of his journey on 16 Aug.
It’s hard to put into words who Michael was – he was the most centered person I know, comfortable in who he was, and stubbornly committed to what he thought was right. If you were someone he cared about, there was no limit to what he would do for you. No one ever had to ask for his help – he was always there with whatever he thought you needed.
Music was a huge part of Michael’s life. He collected guitars like other people collect coffee cups, and there was nothing he loved more than sitting down with friends and playing for hours. Over the years he played with various bands – rhythm guitar, bass, or lead, he was more interested in the music than in what part he played. When we met, he was playing in a country band. After that band broke up, he played in several rock bands. I always told him he had done a bait-and-switch on me – I fell in love with the Brooks-and-Dunn guy, and now he was playing “the devil’s music!” His motto for playing gigs was, “No bar too far, no fee too small.” Truthfully, Michael didn’t care what kind of music he played – for him it was the experience of being in the moment, living the music, and enjoying the hell out of it.
Michael also gave me a precious gift – Jessica, his beautiful daughter and my very special step-daughter. Michael was so proud of Jessica, and I love her dearly. She and Michael’s sister, Eileen, have been with me during this whole difficult time and the three of us have held one another up, united in our love for Michael.
Besides music, Michael loved animals. We always had a crowd of pets – at one point, we had two Great Danes and three cats. Michael was a softie – it was because of him that we got most of our pets. And there was a parade of them: Jezebel (Fila Brasileiro), Chrissie (black cat), Hobbes (marmalade tabby cat), Ethel (Great Dane), Charlie (gray tabby cat), Napoleon (Great Dane), Coco (Shephard/Akita mix), and Oscar (tan cat). Another time, Michael came home from work with a baby squirrel in his jacket pocket. He found it on the ground near his work, and carried it home from DC on the Metro. He named it Stuart Little, and we found a local rescue place for Stuart to live. Michael’s reasoning for bringing the squirrel home in his pocket: “I was afraid he might die, and I didn’t want him to die alone.”
Michael had a long career in video production and editing. For many years he ran the media center at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. From there, he moved to the Dept of Transportation in Washington DC, where he ran the media center for the Secretary. In 2010, he realized his dream and opened his own company, MG Multimedia Services, proving audio, video, and editing services to small businesses and entrepreneurs. He loved collaborating with people and worked on projects with real estate agents, hair salons, veterinary services, dentists, schools, a butcher shop, exercise studios, and many more.
Michael will be greatly missed by his many friends and family, including his wife of almost 16 years, Joan; his daughter, Jessica; sister, Eileen; niece, Cecely; and nephews Anthony, Joseph, and Matt.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Best Friends Animal Society (bestfriends.org/donate) or America's VetDogs (vetdogs.org).
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