Rene Garcia

René Garcia, of Elizabeth, NJ, passed away on Saturday morning, January 6th, 2024, at the age of 100. René was born on November 12th, 1923 in Real Campiña a village in Aguada de Pasajeros, a municipality in the Cienfuegos Province of Cuba. René married his childhood sweetheart and wife of 73 years, Cira Garcia†, on January 17th, 1947. Together they lived and raised three daughters, Teresita DeJesus†, Lidia Margarita, and Celia Esther in the municipality of Santiago de las Vegas, Havana, Cuba. René was the owner and operator of a successful live chicken market. He had two locations, La Violeta and Los Cocos, housing 10,000 chickens each. In 1962, the family migrated to the United States as Cuban exiles and eventually began to grow roots in the city of Elizabeth, NJ. In 1990, he retired from his role as the Shop Steward at SuperMarket Services in Linden, NJ after 25 years of service.

Lovingly referred to as Pipo, he was a beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many. In his retirement, René put his countless talents and hobbies to work. As a farmer in his younger years he put those skills to good use by raising the tastiest tomato plants in all of the Garden state. Along with tending to his garden, his daily routines consisted of reading the daily newspaper, sitting out and taking in the sunlight, and the common custom of a “siesta” after his midday meal. As the patriarch of the family, René also took great pride in caring for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was very passionate about Education and Family and did his best to instill those values throughout the generations.

René is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Lidia M. Doweyko and Arthur Doweyko, of Vero Beach, FL, Celia E. Llano and Jorge Llano of Elizabeth, NJ and Armando Alvarez of Vero Beach, FL; his six grandchildren, Arthur B. Doweyko, of Durham, CT, Joseph A. Llano, of Scotch Plains, NJ, Daniel K. Alvarez, of Falls Church, VA, Christina E. Doherty, of Wall Twp, NJ, David K. Alvarez, of San Antonio, TX, and James A. Llano, of Elizabeth, NJ; and his fourteen great-grandchildren, Sairah G. Llano, Sarina G. Llano, Josiah D. Alvarez, Brady E. Doweyko, Joseph A. Llano, Sofia R. Llano, Michael J. Llano, Jaiden A. Llano, Theodore R. Alvarez, Elliot D. Alvarez, Nicolas V. Llano, Ethan J. Alvarez, Emmett K. Alvarez, and Cira C. Doherty. He is preceded in death by his parents Jesus Garcia and Eugenia Alvarez; his wife Cira Garcia, his siblings Castor Garcia, Anna Garcia, Matias Garcia, Luis Garcia, and Jose Garcia; and his daughter Teresita J. Alvarez.

A visitation for Rene will be held Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Krowicki McCracken Funeral Home, 2124 East Saint George Ave, Linden, NJ 07036. A funeral mass will take place Friday, January 12, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Church, 541 Washington Ave, Kenilworth, NJ 07033. A funeral will follow at Rosedale Cemetery, E Linden Ave, Linden, NJ 07036.