Feb.
6, 1945 - Aug. 11, 2009SOUTH BEND - Dr. Juan Carlos Garcia, 64, born on February 6, 1945, died on August 11, 2009, after his long and courageous battle with cancer. Juan Carlos was born on February 6, 1945, in Asunción, Paraguay, to Francisco and Alice (Florentin) Garcia. He was preceded in death by his father, Francisco. On August 30, 1969, in Paraguay, he married Maria (Macchi) Garcia, who survives along with their children, Patricia Garcia of Chicago, IL, Juan Carlos (Kristen) Garcia Jr. of Granger and Ronald (Denise) Garcia of New Britain, CT; his mother, Alice Garcia of Asunción, Paraguay; two grandchildren, Elena and Sebastian Garcia; sister, Stella (Rodolfo) Sanchez of Asunción, Paraguay; and by his two brothers, Juan Francisco Garcia of Asunción, Paraguay, and Luis (Evelia) Garcia of South Bend; and by his niece and nephew, Sady and Daniel Garcia of South Bend, and a niece, Liz Karina Garcia of Chicago. As a teenager, he was a prolific basketball player for Club Libertad for several years. At age 18 he stopped playing basketball to dedicate himself to the practice of medicine. He attended medical school in Paraguay, South America, and finished first in his class. He also met his beautiful and loving wife, Maria, in medical school. After completing medical school, he came to Chicago, IL, for his residency. He specialized in the areas of oncology and hematology. He was a successful oncologist and hematologist for more than thirty (30) years. He started practicing medicine in the area when he joined Dr. Thomas Troeger at Michiana Hematology Oncology (MHO) over 30 years ago. From 2001 to 2006, he continued to practice oncology and hematology with Northern Indiana Oncology Associates (NIOA). From 2006 to 2009, he returned to work with Michiana Hematology Oncology (MHO). He loved his medical profession and was remarkably and tirelessly dedicated to helping his patients. He felt that it was his calling to be a caring doctor. He believed very strongly in helping others through his work and charitable endeavors. He established The Garcia Family Charitable Foundation and contributed time and resources to several deserving charities, both in the U.S. and internationally. The Garcia Family Charitable Foundation has focused on helping organizations dedicated to dealing with the issues of education, poverty and medical care. He is very proud of a cultural and educational institute he established in Tobati, Paraguay, named Instituto Reinaldo Macchi. This institute is dedicated to educating impoverished youth and preparing them for post-secondary education. He was also very proud of Team Tobati, a charitable organization established by his son, Ronald, in Paraguay, South America. He was a man of many varied interests. He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren, reading, conversing, learning about new people, watching and attending sporting events, playing chess with his brother, Luis Alberto, listening and singing music, and traveling. He had an inspiring curiosity and desire to learn about others and the world around him. He has passed this glorious trait of inquisitiveness onto his family and others who he has met. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 13, 2009, in ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 1827 E. Ireland Road, South Bend, where a Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, August 14, 2009, in the Cathedral of St. Matthew. Entombment will take place in Asuncion, Paraguay. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Dr. Juan C. Garcia to The Garcia Family Charitable Foundation at Key Bank, Attention: Trust Department, 101 S. Main Street, Elkhart, IN 46516. For those who are unable to attend the funeral liturgy, condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net.