* Manuel T. Garcia; Longshoreman’s Union Leader

Lifelong Ventura resident Manuel Tony Garcia, a retired longshoreman, died Friday morning at his home, surrounded by his family. He was 84.

He was born Jan. 19, 1917 in Ventura and was a graduate of Holy Cross School. He was instrumental in founding the Holy Cross Alumni Assn., which provides scholarship assistance to students seeking a Catholic education.

Garcia was a member of Local 46 of the International Longshoreman’s Union and served in union leadership positions on the local and national level for more than 35 years. Locally, he served as secretary, business agent and welfare officer at Port Hueneme. On the national level, Garcia represented small ports on the union’s International Contract Negotiating Committee.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoyed sharing his passion for the outdoors with his children and grandchildren during summer vacations traveling throughout the western states, Canada and Alaska.

Garcia was a member of the Serra Club at San Buenaventura Mission and a Eucharistic minister. In 1992, he was presented with the Papal Medal, “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice,” a high honor bestowed on Catholic lay members in recognition of outstanding service to the church.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; sons Leo and Steve of Ventura, Manuel of Long Beach, and Ron of Menlo Park; daughters Pat Lopez of Modesto and Anita Pulido of Carpinteria; brother James of Phoenix; 19 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Holy Cross Building Fund at San Buenaventura Mission in Ventura.

A funeral Mass was held Monday at the mission and burial was at Santa Clara Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.