Florentino Garcia Blanco
Date of Passing:
Blanco, Florentino “Tino” Garcia, 86, of Riverside Drive, Barrington, died peacefully at his daughter’s home on January 24, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. Tino was the devoted husband of Alisa Petrovitch Garcia.
Born in Fixó, Galicìa, Spain, a son of the late Florentino Garcia Camiña and Asuncion Blanco Gil, he lived in Barrington for the past three years.
Tino was a stone mason and was the owner and operator of the former B&D Stone Contractors for 30 years before retiring in 2001. Tino was a member of the Barrington Baptist Church. He enjoyed construction projects and spending time at his church with his loving family.
Besides his wife of 63 years, he is survived by his children, Elizabeth P. Garcia of Barrington, Christine G. Kolm of Moraga, CA and Florentino “Sonny” P. Garcia of Everton, MO; a sister, Digna Ordas Garcia of São Paulo, Brazil and thirteen grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Camilo Garcia Blanco, Manolo Garcia Blanco and Divino Garcia Blanco.
His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 in the Barrington Baptist Church, 25 Old County Road, Barrington at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Forest Chapel Cemetery, Nayatt Road, Barrington.
Calling hours are Monday January 29, 2024 in the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside from 6-8 p.m.
Beth- Cristina – and Sonny
We do not know God’s reasons, or timing for everything that He does, but our trust is in Him.
Because He has promised that tears and sorrow will end. Comfort will come. Peace will be restored. Joy will be renewed. At our celestial home we will be with Jesus and He promised:
“He will wipe every tear from theirs eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:4
We are praying that the peace of the Spirit fill your hearts, the love of the Father renew your strength, and the promise of the Savior bring the hope we will be with Jesus and Tino in heaven.
“In my Father’s house are many rooms, if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you” John 14:2
We ❤️ you all.
Dear Uncle Tino,
I’m writing this with deep appreciation for all the wisdom and guidance you’ve given me. Thinking back on our trips to your job sites across Florida and Georgia, I’m so grateful for the long talks and the life advice you shared. Working for you during my summer breaks and a few years after high school was an honor that taught me so much.
I remember, just a few days after my high school graduation, on my first day back to work for you full-time, you announced to the entire crew, “There are no uncles on this job site.” I never told you how much I appreciated hearing those words then, and I can’t put into words how much they mean to me now. I can tell you that I was so motivated to impress you that showing up an hour early every day without your knowing was the least I could do.
(Quick backstory: I was not the only one trying to impress Tino on the job site. The job foreman at the time also wanted to keep up with Tino’s super strict performance demands So the foreman thought it would be a good idea for me to show up an hour early and off the clock to prep the mortar for the stone masons. We got away with it for about two months until Tino arrived on the job site early one morning for a meeting with architects.
Tino caught me red-handed and asked, “What the hell are you doing on the job this early in the morning mixing mortar?” Halfway through my explanation, Tino demanded that I not only accept the off-the-clock pay for all the previous days but also forced me to accept time and a half for those same hours. I tried everything to get Tino not to pay me for those hours, especially since he never agreed to them in the first place. It was the only argument I ever had with Tino, but he set such an example of how to deal with and show appreciation for people who worked even a little harder than everyone else. That exact lesson was and is responsible for the strong loyalty I continue to have with my employees.)
Your passion wasn’t just your work, it was also your family. Your love and dedication to your wife and three kids were crystal clear in everything you did. And even after retiring, you kept giving back by helping church members with home repairs, showing that your generosity continued.
I want people to remember you as I do: a mentor to mentors who set an incredible example for us all. It’s mentors like you who worked so hard and tirelessly that allow us (your kids, nephews, nieces, grandchildren) the time and freedom to pursue our dreams more easily and share our very diverse opinions. If not for the uncle Tinos of the world, our focus might lean far more toward basic survival than the champagne problems most of us encounter.
My father, who loved you as a brother, often reminds me of how you sponsored my mom’s journey to the US from Brazil. That act of kindness changed all our lives for the better. Your influence wasn’t just in the advice you gave or the work you did; it was in the love and support you showed our family at every turn. My father, my son, and I are forever in your debt.
It would take too long to thank you for every piece of advice and every example you set. But know this: you were more than an amazing uncle. You were a friend, a mentor, like a second father to me, and as you hoped, my last employer.
I miss you deeply, my friend.
With all my love,
Phillip Ray Guye
Rest in peace, Tino. You were always such a fine example of a man of spirit and faith. Our prayers go with you!
Tino, you and your brother’s are most likely playing a hand of card’s and being as loud as you want to be. My fondest memories from my childhood were when the family got together and the “adults” would play card’s. Being the Spaniards they were… Loud in conversation and all aspects of communication. While the kids were playing either in the yard or basement of the home. Your insight to life, happiness, and family, I will carry with me forever. Your spiritual insight will be missed and will be the inspiration of many! Rest in Peace Florentino.
Dear Bete, Chris, and Sunny, sending my deepest condolences to you. I will always remember your dad as “Seu Florentino” and how lively the house was when he was home. I am glad I had the opportunity to see both him and your mom a while back and thanked them for all they have done for me. I am forever grateful to have worked for them and for all they did for me. Sending prayers of comfort and peace to you and yours.
A truly wonderful man. A very Godly man. So many great memories…from Thanksgiving’s, Football and Superbowl Sunday’s. Rest in Peace Tio Tino, I will miss you greatly ❤️ Give my dad a big hug up in heaven. 😊
So sorry for your loss, Betty and family. It was really a pleasure getting to see and “know” your parents at Dawn Hill. Your dad was ALWAYS looking out for your mom-it was touching. May he rest in peace!!!
Rest in peace, you will be missed!
Rest in peace. Tino , you were such a happy guy and I loved working with you.
Goodbye daddy. Thanks for all you did. I will miss you.
Our thoughts and prayers for all of you and your famiy Tino, you are a great man and we will all miss you greatly! You and your brother’s touched so many in your travels and achieved so much considering your humble beginnings. You and your brother’s have set an extraordinary example to all of us as to what strong will can accomplish!!! The standards that you have bestowed on all you have touched is a gift that you have passed on to so many! As for me and the Garcia family in Atlanta Georgia, you will be greatly missed. But now it’s time for you to rest and enjoy your spot amongst all the good company you are with, God bless you!!
Rest in peace Tio Tino. You will be very much missed.
Oh Dad – while we may have had some tough times – you stubborn old man – I am so grateful that I could spend your twilight hours with you. You were my father, friend, advocate , my rock. I will miss you dearly but we will see each other soon! Love you always ❤️
Go Cowboys Tio Tino. I will miss your ever welcoming love.
Rest in peace dear uncle.
Q Deus ilumine seu caminho, acolhendo-o na Paz de sua imensa misericórdia.
Rest in peace. I’m gonna miss you Vovô.
“Preciosa eh aos olhos do SENHOR a morte dos seus santos”
Salmos 116:15
Descanse em paz na presença do SENHOR.
Betty,
Our condolences on the loss of your father.
May his memory be for a blessing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Naydine and Chris
I will miss you, Tino, my friend and brother in Christ.
Rest in peace, Vovô.
We miss you, Dad! May you rest in peace.