Louie Cid Garcia

Louie Cid Garcia entered into heaven to be with our Lord on Friday, March 19th surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 28th, 1922, to Epitacio and Refugia Garcia and was one of eight children.

As a young boy, he enjoyed running through the hillsides of Simi Valley. He grew up a rancher's son and learned the trade of farming. He could grow ANYTHING with his green thumb and a nail. Whatever you wanted to know about how to heal a plant or the seasons for growing or planting, he knew it all. His knowledge far exceeded any book you could ever purchase. He was lovingly known by his mother as “mi négro” or “négro” as his siblings would call him.

At age 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and fought in WWII. With the 5th armored infantry, under General George S. Patton, his platoon stormed the beaches of Normandy and helped to liberate prisoners of war in Germany. He was also part of a secret force called the “Ghost Division” which infiltrated European boundaries. He will always he our hero.

After returning from war, he met his wife Viola and together they raised seven children. For 25 years, he had been employed as a foreman for Livingston and Graham and was a member of the Operating Engineers Local 12.

He was very proactive with the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Francis of Assisi Church and was in charge of the their food bank. And was also an active member of the Veteran's of Foreign War chapter in Fillmore and proudly participated in the poppy sales, Veteran's and Memorial Day services.

Louie loved to talk to people and share his stories of war and with that had made many friends. “Pal” is a word you heard often as he kindly greeted each one of his friends. A heartfelt thanks to the family and friends that came by to visit and to those who continue to lend their support and prayers. Thank you to Assisted Home Hospice for making his last days on earth peaceful.

Louie was the last link to complete his family chain in heaven and is preceded in death by his mother and father, his brothers and sisters Eugene, Paul, Phillip, Albert, Mary, Rosie and Libby. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Viola and his children Ted (Mary) Garcia, Louie (Stella) Garcia, Patsy (Ted) Hurtado, Geno Garcia, Frieda Garcia, Jackie (Armando) Lozano, and Reginia (Randy) Riberdy, as well as, 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Visitation services will be held on Thursday, March 25th at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary in Fillmore from 4 to 8 pm with a Rosary at 7 pm. A memorial mass will be held on Friday, March 26th at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fillmore at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to Assisted Home Hospice, 2140 Eastman Avenue, Suite 203, Ventura, CA 93003.