Ronald J. Garcia

Ronald Garcia, 83, of Falmouth and Shrewsbury, passed away on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at his home in Falmouth on a beautiful winter day.

Born on November 19, 1937 in Marlborough, he was the son of the late Philip and Nellie (Sayko) Garcia. His father died when Ron was seven, and his mother and large extended family helped to raise him and his two brothers. Ron graduated from St. Viator High School, a small catholic school in Marlborough, and attended Northeastern University. He served in the National Guard Reserves for nine years. Ron was a natural athlete and loved playing all types of sports including football, basketball, and baseball and coached youth hockey in Shrewsbury for many years.

In 1962, Ron married G. Irene Duesel, the love of his life. 'Renee and Ronnie' were married for 58 years and raised their family in Shrewsbury. He worked for Polaroid for over 30 years, starting in Cambridge with Dr. Land during the development of instant film, and retiring as a safety and environmental engineer. He spent many weekends taking hundreds of pictures of his family and many friends with test SX-70 film.

Ron was hardworking, and in addition to his career at Polaroid, he had several side jobs including a stamp vending machine business and selling shrubs out of his car to neighbors and friends. After demand for his plant material grew, he and Irene together with his father-in-law Earl A. Duesel started Shrubs and Trees, Inc. on Route 9 in Southborough. He loved the nursery business and especially all of the people he developed special relationships with over the years – employees, landscapers, growers, brokers, truck drivers, customers and many friends in the local community who would stop in just to visit on a regular basis.

In 1989, Ron and Irene bought a house on the ocean in Falmouth where he loved spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed fishing from the jetty in front of his house and from his boat "Shrubs and Seas", meeting friends for dinner at local restaurants, and just relaxing in his chair watching the sunset and any and all sporting events on TV.

Everyone loved to be with Ron. He was a happy, positive, and kind man with a huge smile and a warm heart who will truly be missed.

In addition to his wife Irene, he leaves their children, Elizabeth G. Wiese (William) of Duxbury, Marilyn D. Garcia (Scott Pew) of Berkeley, California and Daniel J. Garcia (Suzanne) of West Boylston; his grandchildren, Hunter and Justin Wiese, Julia Pew, Hailie and Jared Garcia; his brothers, Philip A. Garcia of Marlborough and Richard Garcia of California; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor Ron's life by gathering for a calling hour on Saturday, January 30th from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. in Saint Matthew's Church, 26 Highland Street, Southborough followed by his funeral Mass celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will be private.

Those of you unable to attend may use this link at 11 a.m. Saturday: https://my.gather.app/remember/ronald-garcia

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ron Burton Training Village, P.O. Box 2, Hubbardston, MA 01452 or www.ronburtontrainingvillage.org/donate

Arrangements by James & John Heald.
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Tuesday, December 22, 2020 – a note from the funeral home pursuant to Governor Baker's recent order:

During times of uncertainty and crisis one might wonder what to do at the loss of a loved one or how to show support to a friend given the limitations that the pandemic continues to present.

Telephone your friend to offer words of love, support and a verbal hug, drop something delicious by the house, leave a condolence on the funeral home website, make a donation to their favored charity, send a card or flowers or have a Mass said, remain in touch, and above all else . . . say prayers for the deceased and their family and the world during this difficult and unprecedented time.

These simple gifts of sympathy and charity are more valuable than you will ever know.

When public wakes are held capacity limits mean that your visit to the venue where they are held should be brief to allow other guests time to say hello to the family. Only members of the immediate family remain present throughout.

It goes without saying that people who have lost someone are especially sensitive and understanding to the concerns that some of their own family members and friends may have about visiting any public places right now. If this does not feel like the right time for you to venture out please don't.

Space limitations also mean that funeral services inside the funeral home and in many places of worship will also be private. Most services, at the family's request, will also be livestreamed and recorded for future viewing. The link to access the channel is found at the bottom of the obituary notice online.

Cemetery services are included in the current outdoor gathering limit of twenty-five people.

During any events, public or private, common sense precautions prevail. That includes masks covering your nose and mouth, staying with your household group throughout the services and keeping a sensible distance. Thank you . . . again . . . for your patience and understanding.