Eddie Steve Garcia

Eddie S Garcia, age 90, born and raised in Alameda since 1933 and was a longtime resident of Los Ranchos since 1967, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 7, 2023.  He is survived by his 3 children, Linda (Gilbert) Benavides, Eddie Jr (Dianne) Garcia, and Becky (Joe) Martinez; 7 grandchildren, Nicolas (Maggie) Benavides, Heather (Jason) Martinez Boberg, Elena (Cole) Sweetser, Alysse (Kyle) Houliston, Terese (Will) Martinez Braun, Annie Garcia-Campos and Adam Garcia; 5 Great Grandchildren, Poppy Rae, Kian Eddie, Eduardo “Lalo”, Ari, and Remi; his only sister left Mable Gallegos.  Eddie was very close with all of his Garcia\Rodarte Family, which included cousins, nephews, and nieces.  They all grew up together.  Eddie was also very close with family from both sides of his and Della’s family.  Eddie has many nieces, nephews, Godchildren from both sides of their families. Eddie has so many dear friends and Compadres.  Mr. Eddie S Garcia was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Adelita “Della” Garcia and by his parents, Ramon Nestor Garcia and Marinita Garcia.  He was also preceded in death by his siblings Cecilia, Viola, Ernest, Ramon, and his “sister” Sally.  Eddie was a member of the SNMDMP2, American Legion Post 69, the Alameda Lions Club, and a long-standing member of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Church.  Eddie was a faithful member of the Guadalupanos and Spanish Choir at Nativity for many years, and during this time, all his grandchildren eventually became involved in one way or another playing with the Spanish Choir.  Music was very dear to him and everyone he shared it with and the joy he received by playing his accordion, his piano and his harmonica was like no other. He loved showing his grandchildren his love of music and loved it when they themselves played music with him.  His family loved hearing him play accordion and looked forward to his call on their birthday as he played them mananitas.  This was a tradition that he kept up for over 100 family and friends every year until he could no longer play.  Eddie played with many local and well-known musicians around the city and state and was probably the only accordion player in town around his childhood and later years.  Eddie played music with his brother Ramon who was a trumpet player, and they were known for their “Marchas”.  They would lead the processions of the bride and groom and their families after their wedding when they marched the married couple from the church to their reception.  Eddie started a family band of his own called “Eddie Garcia and the Emeralds”.  This included his 3 children and many close musician friends. They were known for the song they played “Mi Pecosita” which is still played to this day on KANW radio.  They had their one and only album done in 1972 which later became an album, then a CD.

Eddie S Garcia was inducted into the 2022 NM Music Hall of Fame and was referred to as “Don Eddie” which is the highest form of respect that anyone can be honored with. He was the oldest living musician that was given this high award. He was so proud of this.

Eddie loved to cook his favorite foods.  He was famous for his beans, his red Chile and his special sopaipillas!

Eddie had a wonderful career and took each of his jobs very seriously.  Right after he graduated, he went into the Navy during the Korean War.  He had such great pride in serving in the Navy.  He married his high school sweetheart Della in his last year of the Navy and then they returned back home to Alameda, NM.  He worked various jobs until he was hired into Sandia Labs as a technologist.  He was a furniture delivery man for American Furniture, a draftsman, a tv repair man, a tax man, a notary public and was the bar manager for so many years for Post 69.   He retired from Sandia Labs after 25 yrs, and then became a Bailiff for the District Court Chief Justice and retired after working for 10 years.  His children and his grandkids were his most important part of life, and he devoted his time to being with them and watching them grow up.  He attended all their activities in school, in sports, in music and kept busy hanging out with them.  Eddie was a softball coach for many teams his children played on and coached for many years.  His wife Della was also on his team.

Eddie was a beloved member of our community and there wasn’t a single person who he didn’t know.  Our dad Eddie was such a kind and wonderful person and many people who didn't know him took pleasure when meeting him.

Eddie was so grateful and appreciative of the Giving Home Health Care team that cared for him 24/7 for over 8 years during the time his health became a challenge for him.  His RNs and Health Care Aides were with him every single day and became our family.  They took such wonderful care of Eddie and ensured that he lived the best quality of life in his own home where he wanted to be. The Roadrunner Hospice team provided love, comfort care and compassion in his last 3 months of life along with his RNs, aides, and family. He had wonderful care by the NM Cancer Center and especially by the VA.

Remember the beautiful memories that he has left us with and when you hear one of his favorite songs, sing it out loud and smile knowing that he was a wonderful blessing to us in so many ways with his music, his smile and his love of life.

Don’t be sad that he is gone, but rather joyful that while he was here, he blessed your life with his presence, his love of music, love of family and most of all his love of God.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 21, 2023 from 2-4 pm at Daniels Family Funeral Services-Alameda Mortuary 9420 4th Street Albuquerque, NM 87114.  Rosary will be recited on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 5:45pm at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church 9502 4^th St NW.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 22, 2023, at 9am at Nativity Church with Father Cheke residing.  Interment will follow at San Carlos Cemetery.  Pallbearers are Nick Benavides, Kyle Houliston, Cole Sweetser, Jason Boberg, Will Braun and Adam Garcia.  Honorary pallbearers are Louie Gallegos Jr, Luciano Gurule and Larry Pacheco.

Services are entrusted to Daniels Family Funeral Services Sara.