Obituaries

Eseta Ruth Iosefa Garcia

Eseta was a kind and loving woman. She was a wonderful, positive, person who with her infectious smile always said, "I will pray for you." Eseta always made time to caringly talk with compassion, listen for details of one's hurts and needs, pray with her loved ones, and while with no one knowing...kept notes to ensure she was following up on what God was doing in their lives when she was in her "War Room,' where she prayed early every morning.

Eseta passed away on Dec. 24, 2025 at the age of 93. She was born on March 30, 1932 to Nimarota and Sispeni Iosefa. Eseta was the fifth and youngest child who not only loved her parents deeply, she also loved playing with her four siblings. Eseta grew up on American Samoa (in the village of Malaeloa) where her parents were Christian ministers. Their love for Jesus led to a life of service that resulted in the ministry to many. They ministered to the needy, led social gatherings and events, and even maintained a home for adoption, all while raising their five children. It was this continuous life of service that resulted into the person that we knew and came to know and love so much. Eseta worked as a nurse at St. Mary's Hospital in San Francisco until moving to Newark, California in 1984.

Luis Alfonso Garcia

Luis Alfonso Garcia Zapata, lovingly known as Luis A. Garcia, Alfonsito, and Dadito, was a man of intelligence, rhythm, and steady devotion to his family. He carried both the passion of Ecuador and the discipline of a life built through service and skilled hands.

Luis passed away on January 23, 2026, in Fremont, California, at the age of 91. He was born on July 1, 1934, in Latacunga, Cotopaxi, Ecuador, to Cecilia Zapata and Luis Garcia. From his early years, he developed a deep curiosity about how the world works — from the mechanics of engines to the flight patterns of birds.

Luis served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War as a mechanic for tanks. His gift for understanding machines continued throughout his life. He worked as an aviation mechanic for United Airlines for many years, helping maintain the aircraft that carried countless passengers safely across the world. He also contributed his skill and craftsmanship to the early development and launch of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, helping build infrastructure that continues to serve the Bay Area today. As a dedicated electrician in San Francisco, he earned Diamond Certification, a testament to his precision and expertise.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Luis was a lifelong student of natural science. He was fascinated by the flow of the ocean, the complexity of electricity, the order of mathematics, and the vastness of the planets. Birds held a special place in his heart — from those native to Ecuador to those found in the Bay Area — and he studied them with quiet attentiveness.

Music was another language he spoke fluently. He played the piano, guitar, and ukulele, and through music he taught himself English, Portuguese, and Japanese. He loved Pasillo, Sanjuanito, Marimba, and Bluegrass. He found joy in dancing and singing with his beloved wife, Eseta, sometimes even serenading the birds. He loved teaching others to play piano, sharing knowledge generously and enthusiastically.

Luis was passionate about teaching — whether explaining mechanics, science, electricity, animals, the ocean, math, or the game of soccer. Watching soccer was an event in itself –the volume would rise, the commentary would swell, and Luis would join in with a drawn-out, triumphant “GOAAAL!” that echoed through the room — a sound that will forever be part of his family’s memories!

Luis lived a full and complex life — one marked by hard work, deep intellect, humor, music, and an enduring commitment to providing for his family. He leaves behind a legacy woven through the systems he helped build, the knowledge he shared, the music he played, and the generations that follow him.

Eseta & Luis

On February 11, 1961, Luis married the love of his life, Eseta Ruta Iosefa Garcia. Their marriage spanned decades of shared music, faith, family, and perseverance. Eseta passed away on December 24, 2025, just weeks before Luis, and we find comfort in imagining them reunited.

Eseta & Luis are survived by their daughters Cindy Lewis, Lisa Ruth Garcia, and Carmen Irene O’Rourke; their son Louie Garcia; eight grandchildren — Ben Garcia, Gracie Auerbach, Taylor Lewis, Alex O’Rourke, Mariah (Rya) O’Rourke, Lucas O’Rourke, Hannah O’Rourke, and Chloe Kanani O’Rourke; and two great-grandchildren, Arie Auerbach and Amaya Auerbach.