Paul Garcia, Jr.

Paul Garcia Jr., 86 of Wilton, NY died peacefully at home after a long illness with his beloved wife Betty Garcia of 48 Years by his side. 

He was born in New Braunfels, Texas, on June 17, 1935, the son of the late Beatrice (Castro) Garcia and Paul V. Garcia.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Edward and John Garcia.

Paul graduated from Breckenridge High School in San Antonio, Texas, class of 1953 and attended college briefly before enlisting in the Army in 1954.  He served proudly as a paratrooper, ranger and was a member of special forces through 1958. 

He moved to Plattsburgh, NY with his family and worked many years in retail sales and at his father’s two bakeries and restaurants in Plattsburgh. 

Paul attended SUNY Plattsburgh on the GI Bill graduating cum laude with a BA in Spanish in 1971.

He worked for the NY State Department of Correctional Service for forty years in many administrative positions.  His last and favorite job was 22 years as Deputy Superintendent for Programs at Mt. McGregor Correctional Facility in Wilton. 

Following his retirement from Corrections he was immediately recruited to work as a private investigator for Centurion Private Investigators for seven years.

Paul also worked for local school districts as a substitute teacher mainly at the Jr. and Sr. High level up until his illness.

Throughout his life Paul enjoyed many sports and hobbies and achieved expertise in many of them.  Some of his achievements include; expert in downhill skiing and ski instructor on several mountains, black belt in Karate, boxing while in the service, expert fly fisherman and fly tyer for 60 years, mountain climber, with his first ascents on Haystack Mountain in 1968 with his team; expert trap and skeet shooter at several local ranges; motorcycle and sports car enthusiast and rollerblading.

Paul and Betty enjoyed many trips in the RV with their Shih Tzus as well as boating on Lake George, Lake Champlain and Saratoga Lake. 

Paul had many friends and particularly enjoyed attending car shows each week in the area.  He was proud of winning many trophies for his rare 2011 Rousch Ford Mustang Convertible. 

Paul belonged to many service groups over the years and particularly enjoyed attending special forces association conferences around the country and marching in local parades representing special forces. 

He is survived by his beloved wife Betty Garcia; brothers, Richard (Ann) Garcia of Keeseville, NY, Arthur (Dianne) Garcia of Orlando, FL; daughter, Cassandra (Vu) Garcia; four children from a previous marriage; Michael (Robin) Garcia, Arthur (Pat) Garcia, Glen Garcia, and Lynn Garcia; four grandchildren, Zachary, Nicholas, Brandi, Derek and three great-granddaughters, Fiona, Vivian, and Piper; several nieces, nephews and the last of his beloved Shih Tzus, Misty.    

A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.  Family and friends may call from 10 am to 12 noon prior to the service at the funeral home.

Interment with military honors will be held at 1:30 pm in Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871 following the service at the funeral home.

The family wishes to thank Dr. James Murray for his excellent care of Paul over the years and to Ashley, Brittany, Kourtney, Kristen and Caitlyn for the homecare of Paul over the last year.

Due to the ongoing public health concerns of COVID-19 social distancing as well as mandatory wearing of a face mask is required.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Paul to Wounded Warriors Project, woundedwarriorproject.org; EAGW Memorial Animal Shelter, 100 Russell Road, Greenfield Center, NY 12833 and St. Jude’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 or stjude.org

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