29 January 2025

Michael Augustine Garcia was born August 8, 1952, to Miguel and Mercedes (Rodriguez) Garcia at Great Lakes Naval Hospital, Illinois, the first of eight children. Due to his father’s service in the Air Force, Michael went to various schools around the country. In 1970, he graduated as class valedictorian from Antonian High School in San Antonio, Texas. He obtained a BA in Architecture from Rice University in 1974. He then moved to Denver and obtained a job in city planning. Michael entered the Dominican Novitiate on October 1, 1976, at St. Rose Priory in Dubuque, Iowa. On October 8, 1977, he professed first vows at St. Rose Priory in the hands of Very Rev. Damian C. Fandal, O.P. and began studies for the priesthood at Aquinas Institute of Theology (then located at St. Rose Priory).  He professed solemn vows on October 11, 1980, in the hands of Fr. Frank C. Quinn, O.P. He earned a Master of Theology in 1981 and a Master of Divinity in 1982.  He was ordained to the priesthood on May 2, 1981, by Most Rev. James J. Byrne, Archbishop of Dubuque.

Fr. Michael spent the entirety of his priestly ministry in the Chicago area. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Pius V Parish from 1982-1984. From 1984-94 he worked with youth in various positions: Hispanic Youth Ministry coordinator for the Archdiocese of Chicago and as chaplain and theology teacher at Holy Cross High School in River Grove, St. Benedict Parish High School and Marist High School. From 1994-1996, Fr. Garcia completed an MSW at Loyola University Chicago. He was a clinical social worker for Youth Outreach Services in Chicago from 1996-2000, at MacNeal School in Westchester from 2000-2010, and at Comprehensive Clinical Services in Lombard from 2011-2022. Fr. Garcia also worked at St. Frances of Rome and Our Lady of Charity Parishes in Cicero part time from 2013-2016.

In 2017, Fr. Garcia was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. In 2022 he went on Limited Services at St. Pius V Priory. He went to the hospital with pneumonia on January 28, 2025, and declined rapidly overnight. He passed away early on the morning of January 29, 2025, with his prior, Fr. Richard Litzau, at his side. Office of the Dead and Mass of Christian Burial were held at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish on February 10, 2025. Very Rev. Louis Morrone, O.P., Prior Provincial, presided and Very Rev. Richard Litzau, O.P., preached. Fr. Garcia was laid to rest in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois.