Raymond Garcia

Raymond Garcia, 94, of Orange, beloved husband of the late Vera Garcia, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2023. Born on September 15, 1928 in New Haven, he was the son of the late Frank “Emil” and Laura Garcia.

Raymond (Ray) leaves behind his daughter, Maria Garcia Weitzman and her partner Chris Schapdick, as well as many extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his siblings, Ernie, Joe, Ed, Emil, and Rosemary.

After graduating high school, Ray worked at a clothing store and as a bartender, before he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War in 1951. After being discharged in 1953, he joined the Postal Service and the National Association of Letter Carriers, a job he truly loved because it allowed him to interact with people.

Ray met Vera in a restaurant in New Haven and were married in 1957. They went on to have their only child Maria and were married for 62 years.

Ray retired from the Post Office in 1990. Afterwards, he spent his time travelling with his family, visiting his daughter, walking daily, voraciously reading multiple newspapers and magazines a day, singing and listening to music, watching sports and CNN and an taking an occasional trip to Foxwoods. The most important thing to him was his relationships with his family, friends and wonderful neighbors.

It cannot be understated how much he was truly loved and how many lives he touched – the list is too long to write. He loved being social, telling corny jokes and was known as the “Mayor of Wilson Road.” He was a frequent dinner guest at his neighbors’ and family’s homes (who also brought him food after Vera passed away). Ray was everyone’s favorite uncle and referred endearingly to his loved ones as “my pal.”

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Ray's life on Friday, March 10, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Cody-White Funeral Home 107 Broad Street, Milford, CT 06460. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. that day at Holy Infant Church, 450 Racebrook Rd., Orange. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Orange Center Cemetery, Orange. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made UNICEF: Children in Crossfire of Ukraine Crisis | UNICEF USA to help support the children of Ukraine or the Ulster County SPCA, an organization Ray supported with Maria.

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