Héctor Rafael Garcia
Age 78 of Rehoboth Beach

September 6, 1946 - April 13, 2025

Héctor Rafael Garcia, 78, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Born in Havana, Cuba, Héctor's life was a testament to resilience, dedication, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

At age 15, Héctor arrived in the United States through a program later dubbed "Operation Pedro Pan," the largest mass exodus of children in the Western Hemisphere. He and 14,000 other Cuban children were flown to Miami through this program, which was managed by the Catholic Church. From Miami, he was relocated to Wilmington, Delaware, where he lived with 20+ other Cuban boys in a group home known as Casa de Sales. Though life was challenging, Héctor and his fellow Cuban brothers formed bonds that would last a lifetime. He was grateful for the opportunity he was given to attend and graduate from Salesianum High School. He pursued higher education at the University of Delaware, earning a degree in Education.

Héctor began his professional journey teaching at St. Elizabeth High School and then Dickinson High School before embarking on a 30-year career at The Wilmington News Journal, retiring in 2006. His passion for education called him back to the classroom, where he dedicated 10 more years to teaching special needs students in the Red Clay School District and summers at the Sussex Consortium in Lewes until his recent retirement.

A man of many interests, Héctor had an insatiable love for music, reading, watching movies with family, and visiting Miami, where he felt closest to his homeland. Some of his fondest memories included immersing himself and his family in the Cuban culture.

Throughout his life, Héctor remained a firm believer that hard work is the foundation for achieving goals. His journey from a young Cuban exile to a respected educator and community member embodied the American Dream through perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.

Although known for his serious demeanor, Héctor revealed his softer side through affectionate moments goofing around with his children and grandchildren, whom he lovingly called his "little monkeys."

Héctor is preceded in death by his mother, María Josefa Pérez Pérez, and his father, José Rafael García Carreras. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Barbara Garcia; four sons: Eric Garcia (Laura), Justin Garcia (Nicole), David Garcia (Shawnee), and Andy Garcia (Juliana); and five grandchildren: Anna, Abby, Ethan, Drew, and Dean. He is also survived by his sisters, Dr. Marisol Garcia and Zoe Garcia Moreno (José Alberto Nuñez); nieces Giselle and Zoita, and nephew José, all of Miami. His family was the center of his world, and he relished every moment spent with them.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Celebration of life service for Hector at Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, 1400 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilm., DE 19805, on Monday, April 28 at 11:30am. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10:00am-11:30am. Interment will take place privately.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to our friend Terry Matson, who provided unwavering support to Héctor.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth at https://www.mealsonwheels-lr.org/donate/ in Héctor's memory.