RIP Dr. Garcia
In 1991 and 1992, I was blessed to be taught by a terrific Spanish teacher at St. Francis College. Dr. Enildo Garcia was a tough professor, but he really cared about his students. He loved opening up college students eyes to the world around them. The first semester I had him for Spanish 1. I was interested in working diligently to do well and score an A. In his classroom, I felt comfortable making mistakes and learning from them. He was a kind and gentle man who wanted me to do well. He also noted that I was a harder worker than my lazy brother who had him the same semester I did. At the end of the semester, both classes went to the restaurant Tio Pepe in The Village in Manhattan. We ate paella, flan and everyone toasted Dr. Garcia. We had a good time.
For Spanish II, Dr. Garcia knew me and I him. He had little tolerance for laziness and wanted all of the students in the class to do well. After this semester, I had to take Spanish 3 and another professor taught that class. On one of the first days of classes, Dr. Garcia stopped and spoke to my professor for Spanish 3. He said, “Marlene works very hard. She will impress you with her Spanish.” Because Dr. Garcia believed in me, I had to believe in myself.
Dr. Garcia published a lot of his research. I googled his name and found many of his research articles on culture. Dr. Garcia loved culture and he took the time to learn about his student’s culture.
Dr. Garcia, you were everything a teacher should be. I wish I had a chance to tell you that I taught Spanish for two years. I will never forget your warm smile or hearty laugh. God rest your soul – Dr. Garcia, you will be missed by the St. Francis College Community.
UPDATE: 9/17/08 I’ve been teaching computer skills at the same school for over ten years. This year, a Spanish teacher went on sabbatical and I was given a chance to teach Spanish again. Ironic? I don’t think so. Dr. Garcia’s spirit is alive and well in Brooklyn.
In case you didn’t know on Thursday, October 16th at 6:00 pm there will be a dinner at Tio Pepe in Dr. Garcia’s honor (see the pics from the event). Contact Dennis McDermott, Director of Alumni Relations at St. Francis College 718-489-5362 The cost of the dinner (appetizer, entree, dessert, sangria, wine, beer, soda) is $50 a person.
Hugs,
marlene
Topics: Uncategorized | 7 Comments »
June 10th, 2008 at 3:14 am
Hey there! Thanks for stopping by my blog ! Arlene is great! and I love your blog :o)
July 25th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Sorry, to hear that professor Garcia passed away. He was my professor in St. Francis Colleger from 1984-1988. I agree with all your great comments
Carlos
September 19th, 2008 at 12:42 am
Although I never had Dr. Garcia as a professor, my boyfriend did, and although he was not the biggest fan of school, he absolutely adored Dr. Garcia. He always had a big smile and a friendly hello; people like him are far and few in between, and he will be missed terribly
October 13th, 2008 at 3:09 am
I LOVED DR. GARCIA!!! I Had him, so did my brother. He was sooo passionate. He kicked me out of Spaniah I. I know I worked really hard every term I took his class. I went back to him two other times, even taking a Spanish Lit class. I am glad I did. I remember Tio Pepe’s.
March 19th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
During 1982-83 I was stationed at the Brooklyn NAVY Yard on board the USS Koelsch. I met Dr. Garcia one day at the USO in Manhattan. It was very late. Dr. Garcia invited me and a friend next day to his condo at Forest Hills and he fixed up a delicious cuban dinner for me and Luis Sotomayor. Since then, we became very close friends. We were 18 year olders away from home, and he became that father figure away from home. He made our transition from kids to Navy saliors quite easy. He was always there for me. I met a lot of good friends because of him. One, a very special one; Monsignor Alvaro Corrada Del Rio who in 1990 traveled from Washington to marry me and my wife. I will never forget Dr. Garcia. I have just read of him passing away. This is a very sad moment for me. Such an excellent gentleman, such a loved father to me. I will never forget you, never. You were always there when I needed someone to talk to, someone to hug and someone to cry. I know you are now with our Creator, and I know I will see you again.
April 15th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
My respect for the memory of dr. Enildo Garcia. I met him in Havana at the National Library Jose Marti. Dr. Garcia showed me a way to succeed in life chasing my dream to become a doctor and to escape to the US. He helped me out with books and food in country out of hopes. He also helped my family and my wife. he spoke very highly about his students in his beloved New York. We felt privileged of knowing him, laughing with him and walking together the streets, the churches and the museums in the old Havana. He wa also someone who loved freedom and justice for all the cuban families. He should rest with the most brilliants poets, writers and educators born in Cuba, and specially in his unforgettable Matanzas. Rest in Peace, Dr. Garcia. From Tonyto and Alicia
September 11th, 2018 at 11:54 am
This is an old page but no less relevant in honor of one of the greatest teachers I’ve ever encountered. One of the few who I’ve met who had a great love of teaching and for his students. We first met in ’91 and had since become a close member of the family until his passing. I can speak for other students whom I met in his classes who have become my closest friends till this day –he was loved, is missed, and remembered fondly every time we gather. He enriched our lives far beyond the classroom.