My world has collapsed, my heart is shattered, the love of my life, Julio Oscar Garcia of Cataract, WI, formerly of Holquin, Cuba has died. He departed this world on September 20, 2020 at 10:06 p.m. He was 68 years young, born April 11, 1952.

Julio came to America in the 1980 Flotilla and quickly adjusted to American life or as much as he wanted to. He was a strong man with strong beliefs. Julio was known around here as the ‘Christmas Tree Man’ or possibly to some as the ‘crazy Cuban,’ and to many it was just papa or Papa Julio, but one thing is for sure, if you met Julio Oscar Garcia, you never forgot him. He loved his family, he loved the outdoors, he loved his trees, he loved sitting in his yard, singing beautiful Spanish songs and watching his hummingbirds feed. They seemed to love him too!

He was a simple man who was happy with life and he will be sadly missed by family and friends, especially me, his girlfriend and loving companion of 39 years, Patricia Boyce. Julio will also be sadly missed by his children. He was the proud Papa of 5 children. He has two beautiful daughters, born in Cuba, Teresa and Carmen, whom he loves dearly. We also were blessed with 3 strong, handsome sons, Mitchell (Tamara) Adam Michael, and Erik Matthew (Melissa), and 13 beautiful, amazing grandchildren as well and 1 perfect great-granddaughter.

Julio is further survived by many loving nieces, nephews, aunt, uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters in Cuba. In America he is missed by many in-laws, nieces and nephews, especially his favorite daughter-in-law, Deidra Hart Smith and his ‘American’ daughter, Nicole Williams, who wiggled and giggled her way into his heart at age 1, never to leave it.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents in Cuba, Abraham and Lydia, his brother, Martiano and our beautiful, talented, amazing son, Adam Michael Garcia on May 16, 2016. Give your Dad a big hug and kiss for me Adam. I love you both so much.

Julio will also be sadly missed by his numerous friends and ‘bros,’ especially Kelly Celmer, his best friend and closest ‘bro.’ Julio was loved and ‘feared’ by many. LOL. The ‘Old Bear’ may be gone but never, never, NEVER forgotten!

A Celebration of Life will be held for my Julio on September 27, 2020 at 200 North Court St, Sparta, WI at 2:00 p.m. All family, friends, and ‘bros’ please come and say a final farewell to the most amazing, beautiful, strong, bull-headed man I ever knew.