Joseph Charles Garcia

Joseph Charles (JC) Garcia was born on December 1, 1939 to Thomas (Tom) Garcia Cooper and Eleanor (Nelly) Garcia Abbott in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. He was their third child, preceded by Patricia Garcia (Deceased) and Celina Garcia Dunn (Deceased), then later followed by Eleanor Garcia. Originating from Oak Ridge, Roatan, the family moved to Nicaragua to work in the then burgeoning lumber industry. Much of JC’s youth, and formative early adult years were spent in Puerto Cabezas, where he enjoyed life in that vibrant community. He had a wonderful childhood that he recounted often. Building wooden model airplanes was a special passion of his. He’d spend hours carefully putting them together and then launching them from the top of the high

stairs of their house. He and his sister Eleanor spent a lot of time together in those days. In Puerto Cabezas everything was within walking distance, so they could walk to the beach, the movie theatre, school, baseball field, and many friends’ homes. Thayer Cooper’s (Deceased) house was next door, so the families saw each other often. He and Thayer remained close cousins/friends throughout their entire lives. He made numerous childhood friendships in Puerto Cabezas that lasted his entire lifetime. This is where he also met the love of his life, Laura Woo. They were married in 1968 and together they had five children: Giselle, Jose, Karla, Elka, and Eva Jocely. After about 30 years of living and working in Nicaragua, in 1969/70 he collaborated with his father Tom to build a new drydock in the boat repair/building and seafaring tradition of the family in Oak Ridge. As the fishing industry took off in the 1970s and 80s, the drydock they built was an important part of that time. JC reconnected with family and friends in those next 30+ years in Oak Ridge and played a key role in the community. It was as if he had always been there. His easy going personality and kindness always opened hearts and left an imprint. Oak Ridge and the people of Oak Ridge were always very special to him. No matter where he was, he always kept in touch and looked forward to coming back home. Seaman, shrimp/lobster man, dry dock man, handyman, family man… A truly dedicated husband and father, the role where his light shined brightest was that of family man. Family was everything to him and he was devoted to them. In his later years he (and Laura) divided spending time with children and grandchildren. When in Florida he would also be sure to spend time with his sisters Patricia and Celina and Celina’s children: Rodney, Brenda, Tommy, and Janice. They loved their Uncle JC.

His favorite spot, sitting on his porch swing in his house at Oak Ridge point did not see much of him these last years. Instead, he traveled between Roatan, Florida, and occasionally Nicaragua to be with family and friends. He has returned home for the final time.

Welcome home JC!