Andy J. Garcia

Andy Garcia, born Jose Andres Garcia, and known professionally as Andrew J. Garcia, Jr., Esq. passed away peacefully in his sleep, at age 93, beside his wife, Andrea, on March 6, 2021. Andy wore many hats in his long life. Andy was first and foremost a family man. He was also an Athlete, a Lawyer, a Judge, an Ambassador, an Employer, a Coach, a Mentor, a Philanthropist, and a friend to so many who were lucky enough to know him. Andy was born Jan. 28, 1928 in Tampa, Florida, to Dora and Cuban-Born Andres Jose Garcia. Andy grew up playing on the sandlots of Ybor City and graduated “Most Popular” from Jesuit High School in 1946, having lettered in basketball, swimming, tennis, football, basketball, baseball, and track. He was proudest of winning the Tennis City Junior Championship of 1946. His abilities in drama were also showcased in the productions of Room Service and Brother Orchid. His first year of college was at St. Louis University on a football scholarship. When an injury sidelined him, he transferred to Spring Hill College (Class of 1950) in Mobile, Alabama where he played on and captained the tennis team. He also played on the city-league basketball team. In 1985, he was inducted into the Spring Hill College Athletic Hall of Fame. Andy continued his education at University of Florida’s Law School only to be cut short after one year when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon discharge in 1954, Andy returned to Tampa to work with his father in the produce import business. Much of this time was spent at their farms in Cuba and playing with the Cuban-Davis Cup Team. Life in Cuba was idyllic as Andy divided his time between a penthouse apartment in Havana, the tennis courts of the Havana or Vedado Tennis Clubs, his family hometown of Bejucal, and farms on the mainland of Cuba and on the Isle of Pines. It was after he was refused entry onto one of his farms that Andy returned to Tampa and completed law school at Stetson University in 1962. After serving as a legislative aide in Tallahassee, he focused his practice in Tampa, he served in private practice, as an arbitrator, and sat as a city judge. He also counseled the Local Police Department and Tampa Jai-Alai Players. In 1967, he was appointed Honorary Council of El Salvador by Lyndon B Johnson. His tennis career continued as a member of the Tampa Yacht and Country Club and Palma Ceia Country Club. Andy’s winnings included 1962 City Doubles Championship, 1967 Florida Hard Court J.V. Doubles, 1969 Florida Hard Court Men’s 35 Doubles, 1970 T.Y.C.C. Men’s Doubles Championship, 1973 Florida Closed Championships Men’s Junior Vet’s Doubles, and 1976 Doctor-Lawyer Championship. As the produce business in Tampa grew, Andy moved to Miami to run Lowell Distributors, a branch of Crews and Garcia Produce. This business provided a gateway and first job for many of Andy’s family and friends, for whom he played an integral role in helping escape and emigrate from Cuba. He continued his law practice with Barry Garber & Nick Buoniconti. Andy’s love of tennis also continued at the Royal Palm Tennis Club which led him to become Director of Tennis at the Sheraton Royal Biscayne Hotel on Key Biscayne. There he ran clinics, and coached many juniors, dignitaries, and celebrities from around the world. Helping him run a full-scale tennis academy were Donna Fales, former coach and captain of U.S. Federation Cup Team, and Sue Cobb (before she went back to law school, challenged Mount Everest, and was Ambassador to Iceland). They were assisted by Joe Goblish and Ann Goldman, both past Florida junior champions. Andy mentored Gisa Schwarte in coaching and she joined his staff. Andy continued playing competitive tennis and won the Florida State Father and Son Tennis Championship with his son Andy III. They also succeeded on the National Father and Son Clay Court Championships. Andy relocated to the Key Biscayne Hotel and Villas as Tennis Director and continued his coaching career assisted by Ray Garrido, Juan Weiss, and Gisa. Many ATP pros and junior players were sponsored by Andy, including Jose Luis Clerc, Javier Frana, Fernando Dalla Fontana, Martin Jaite, and Luis Hines. As he stopped playing competitively, he transitioned into coaching and managing ATP players. He was a life member of USTA as well as an inductee of the Miami-Dade County Tennis Hall of Fame. Andy also enjoyed relaxing on the beach at the Key Biscayne Beach Club and boating as a member of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club. In his retirement, Andy set down his racket and picked up golf clubs spending more time at Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, where many years previous he inaugurated the first two tennis courts at the club alongside his Cuban Doubles partner and first Ocean Reef Tennis Director, Juan Weiss. His leadership continued there as a member of the Condo Boards for E Dock and Fisherman’s Cove. Andy’s golf skills earned him membership in the “Hackers” golf group. As a member of St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church in Key Largo, Andy also served on the financial advisory board for then-pastor, Enrique Delgado. Andy also gave back financially to his community with many donations to various charities. Andy was a loving and generous patriarch to his family and is survived by his brother Ernest (“Cookie”) Garcia, two nieces and a nephew in Tampa, his wife Andrea Jo Garcia and their daughter Jennifer Hewett (Jeff), his children Mary Lou Ewing and Andy Garcia III (Cathy) and their mother Linda Valenti Christian, and his grandchildren Lauren Ewing, Allegra Garcia, Ashley Garcia, James Hewett, and Julia Hewett. Andy also leaves behind numerous cousins, extended family, and many godchildren, most notably his namesake Andy Garcia, whose parents, cousin Rene and Amelie, were like siblings to Andy during his time in Cuba. Andy was loved and will be missed by many: friends, family and acquaintances alike. In lieu of flowers, please make an offering of your time or treasure to a charity of your choice. The Funeral Mass will begin promptly at 10:30 am, Thursday, March 18, 2021, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5125 South Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32819. COVID safety procedures require masks and social distancing in the parking lot and in the church. Livestream will be available at holyfamilyorlando.com. Scroll to the bottom of the webpage and click on Holy Family Church Webcam. A Reception Lunch will be held immediately following the Mass at the Orange Tree Golf Club, 7540 Woodgreen Drive, Orlando, FL 32819. Inurnment will be at the Centro Asturiano Memorial Park, 5400 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa, Florida on Friday, March 19, 2021, at 10:00 am. Prior to the inurnment, Andrea will be attending the 8:30am daily mass (duration approximately 30 minutes) at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 5225 N Himes Ave, Tampa, FL 33614, and invites those desiring the Eucharist that day to join her. The family of Andy J. Garcia invites you to leave a message of condolence on the Tribute Wall created in his loving memory.

Andy J. Garcia

January 28, 1928 - March 6, 2021