Luis Garcia-Rivera

A few months before his death, he reflected upon his time on earth:

“I’ve led a full, interesting, and rich life. I have a wonderful, good wife – she’s been tremendous throughout my life and especially during this time. My kids have established successful, marvelous lives and families. I’ve experienced the joy of grandchildren. I’ve worked at the career that I enjoyed, and built up a great practice. I’ve got good friends, good family, and a good life. I can safely say that I’ve accomplished everything I wanted during my life, and I’ve got peace of mind about where I’m going.”

Luis indeed led an interesting life. He was born in Havana, Cuba, son of Carlos and Hortensia Garcia-Rivera, and brother to Ricardo and Carlos. At the age of seventeen, he was forced from his home and country by the communist uprising in Cuba. He arrived in the United States with ten dollars in his pocket and a suitcase full of clothes. He worked hard, attended MIT, NYU, and University of Miami, and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Following his grandfather, father, and brothers in the family tradition of the practice of medicine, he completed medical school in Spain. While there, he met his wife Maria Gracia. He had three children – Luis, Jorge, and Javier. After medical school, Dr. Garcia-Rivera practiced medicine in Ubeda, Spain for a few years before settling in Jacksonville, Florida in 1978. In 1981, he opened his Family Practice office. He was and is beloved by his patients for taking the time to listen, to treat, and to heal.

Luis could often –well, almost always– be found with a cigar in one hand. He loved to joke, to play guitar, photography, and loved a good meal. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family, especially his grandchildren Nadia, Diego, Cesc, and Sofia.

A memorial mass will be held at San Jose Catholic Church, 3619 Toledo Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32217 on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 2:00pm. Haven Hospice provided excellent, caring treatment that comforted him during his last days. In lieu of flowers, memorial donation information for this wonderful organization can be found at www.havenhospice.org.