Fr. Michael Augustine Dominic Garcia, OP, 72, died unexpectedly on January 29, 2025. He was born on August 8, 1952, to Miguel and Mercedes (Rodriguez) Garcia at Great Lakes Naval Hospital, IL, the first of eight children. Due to his father’s service in the Air Force, Michael went to various schools around the country. In 1970, he graduated as class valedictorian from Antonian High School in San Antonio, TX. He obtained a BA in Architecture from Rice University in 1974 and moved to Denver, CO, where he obtained a job in city planning. He entered the Dominic Order on October 1, 1976, at St. Rose Priory, Dubuque, IA. He professed first vows on October 8, 1977, and began studies for the priesthood at Aquinas Institute of Theology. He professed solemn vows on October 11, 1980, earned a Master of Theology in 1981 and a Master of Divinity in 1982. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 2, 1981.
Fr. Garcia spent the entirety of his priestly ministry in the Chicago area. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Pius V Parish from 1982-1984. From 1984-94, he worked with youth in various positions: Hispanic Youth Ministry coordinator for the Archdiocese of Chicago and as chaplain and theology teacher at Holy Cross High School in River Grove, St. Benedict Parish High School, and Marist High School. From 1994-1996, Fr. Garcia completed an MSW at Loyola University Chicago. He was a clinical social worker for Youth Outreach Services in Chicago from 1996-2000, at MacNeal School in Westchester from 2000-2010, and at Comprehensive Clinical Services in Lombard from 2011-2022. Fr. Garcia also worked at St. Frances of Rome and Our Lady of Charity Parishes in Cicero part-time from 2013-2016. He was especially known for his empathetic pastoral work and kindness.
In 2017, Fr. Garcia was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, which he bore patiently. In 2022, he went on Limited Services at St. Pius V Priory. He went to the hospital with pneumonia on January 28, 2025, and declined rapidly overnight. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Christopher. He is survived by siblings Daniel, Gloria, Marcus, Geralyn, Virginia, Marcus, and Thomas. His funeral Mass will be celebrated on February 10, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, 1530 Jackson Ave, River Forest, preceded by Office of the Dead at 9:00 a.m. Interment at All Saints Cemetery. Memorial Donations to the Dominican Friars, 1910 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60608-2904, www.opcentral.org, are greatly appreciated.
