Deceased August 19, 2014

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50th Reunion Book Entry

In Memory

While never truly surprised, since our average class age runs from the mid-80s to the early 90s, it is always sad to learn of the death of another classmate, since our memories go back to the days of our vibrant youth.

Miguel came to Amherst from Puerto Rico, joined Phi Delta Theta and had a distinguished career in medicine. He passed away Aug. 19 of natural causes and is survived by his five sons and seven grandchildren.

After college he attended Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating in 1953. He interned and did his residency in urology in New York City, completing that training in 1960. En route, he served in the Army Medical Corps from 1955 to 1957.

In June 1953, he had married his sweetheart, Teresa, whom he had met in Puerto Rico, and they moved to Covina, Calif., in 1963. He joined a small multi-specialty group of 12 doctors which has since grown to number 50.

He truly enjoyed his profession and the community. He and his wife participated in several civic organizations, and he was very active in his church. They traveled extensively over the years and last visited Amherst in 1991. He semi-retired in 1993 and retired fully in 1997.

His only sad news was that of the passing of his beloved wife in 1998 after battling ovarian cancer. Like many of us who have had this experience, he spoke of the pain and sorrow, and the shock since Teresa had enjoyed excellent health for all of her 66 years. In his last report to the college, he said how grateful he was for the wonderful memories and thanked God for his many blessings. His tribute is a worthwhile lesson for all of us.

Gerry Reilly ‘49

50th Reunion 

The years at Amherst still are remembered as wonderful years full of many cherished memories. I am grateful to be able to enjoy good health and savor the benefits of each day. God has been kind to us.

I married in June 1953 to Teresa Narganes whom I bad met in Puerto Rico in December 1947. Without a doubt this is the most important event in my life. We shared forty-five wonderful years, raised a family of five sons; which is our proudest achievement. We have enjoyed a close family relationship and delight in our five grandchildren.

49 Miguel Garcia.jpg
After Amherst, I attended Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and graduated in 1953.I interned and did a residency in Urology in New York City completing in 1960. I served in the Army Medical Corp for two years from 1955 to 1957. We came to Covina, California in 1963 and I joined a small multi-specialty group of twelve doctors, which has grown to fifty doctors. I enjoyed the practice and the community very much. My wife and I participated in several civic organizations and were active in our Church.We have traveled extensively over the years; visiting Amherst twice the last time in 1991.

I semi-retired in 1993 and retired fully in July 1997. The only sad note is that Teresa suddenly became ill in July 1997. She was diagnosed to have advanced ovarian cancer and in spite of surgery and chemotherapy, her disease progressed and she died January 8, 1998. Her illness was a great shock to us since she bad enjoyed excellent health all her sixty-six years. The pain and sorrow that is felt is difficult to understand unless one shared the experience.

Faith, family and mends provide a great support, but time is the only healer. We are blessed with many wonderful memories and will continue to remember her and guide our family in a way she would have liked. We are grateful for the years we shared and thank God for his many blessings.