Antonio R. Garcia

BARRE – Antonio R. Garcia, “Tony”, 101, a longtime resident of Summer Street, passed away peacefully at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin on Saturday, October 19, 2019. His family was with him at his bedside.

Born on March 9, 1918 in Fuente Alamo, Spain, he was the son of Abraham and Josefa (Ruiz) Garcia. He attended elementary and high schools in Spain.

Following his schooling, Tony began his lifelong career as a barber in Valencia, Spain. This is where he met the love of his life, Mary Comelo. The two were married on Thursday, November 24, 1949 in Valencia and resided there until going to the United States in 1955 where there were family members. Mary passed away on April 16, 2008.

Once they had moved to Barre, Vermont, Tony continued as a barber. He started at a barbershop in Montpelier on Elm Street, later he went on to cut hair at Norwich University until going to Barre to Henery’s Barbershop which later became Tony’s and then in his later years he went on to cut hair at Off the Top until he was 88 years old when he decided it was time to retire.

Tony held a wide range of hobbies and interests throughout his life. The most important of those included watching soccer and spending time with his family and friends. Especially his great-grandson Deacon.

Survivors include his son Victor and his wife, Colleen, granddaughter Laticia and great-grandson Deacon Garcia all of Barre; his daughter-in-law Susan and grandsons Nathan and Gabriel Garcia all of Williamstown; and his brother Blas Garcia of Spain as well as many nieces and nephews in Spain, Burlington, and Connecticut.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved wife Mary; his son Antonio C. Garcia and three sisters Josefina, Dolores and Anna Maria of Spain.

The service to honor and celebrate Tony’s life will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre. Interment will follow in the Hope Cemetery.  Family and Friends may call on Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Tony’s family would like to thank the staff at the Barre Gardens for their loving and exceptional care that they provided throughout his time there.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Barre Gardens, Resident Activity Fund, 378 Prospect Street, Barre, VT 05641.