It is indeed a rare privilege and a great honor for me to deliver this Eulogy for my very close friend , ENRICO GARCIA, Fraternity brother, Compadre, (being one of the Sponsors to my daughter’s wedding), Province mate from Pangasinan, Surgical colleague, a Fellow humanitarian Missionary and Golfing buddy. Our friendship dates back many years ago, during medical school days and because of his sincerity and “ down to earth” character, our relationship has blossomed and crystallized to a very meaningful closeness with mutual respect for each other. He treasured our friendship because he believed that the only way to have true friends is to be true and loyal to each other.
Enrico was a man of uncommon courage, endowed with an irrepressible drive to do things that mattered. He pursued with vigor what he believed was right and he stood up for that belief. He was a born athlete, A BOXER belonging to the College Boxing Team during his Premedical years, long before Manny Pacquiuo started boxing in Gensan, a tennis player and an avid Golfer with his unique golf swing better than Jim Furik. After obtaining his Medical Degree he pursued his Postgraduate training in New York and was one of those who organized the PMA in the Eastern Seaboard, making it a social and educational forum for new arrivals of Filipino Interns and Residents easing one’s homesickness. He became sometimes a “matchmaker” to single and lonely trainees which ended up successfully as married couples. After his training, he briefly practiced Surgery in New Jersey and finally ended up in Terre Haute, Indiana where he established his busy Surgical Practice until his retirement few years ago. It did not take long for him to serve as Chief of Surgery and President of the Hospital Medical Staff. He involved himself in the State’s political Arena, being friends with Senator Bayh and other political powers in Indiana. He served as one of the State’s Health Commissioners.
Enrico has the enviable propensity to led, gifted with leadership qualities of confidence , persuasion and responsibility. He was tough but always reconciliatory. He served as President of the American Society of Abdominal Surgeons and the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America for two terms. He appointed me Chairman of the Philippine College of Surgeons- SPSA Liaison Committee and together we signed a Memorandum of agreement for the mutual cooperation and partnership OF THE TWO NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS in areas of Post Graduate Surgical Education and Training, Surgical Missions, Fellowship and Scholarship programs and joining in the Annual Philippine College of Surgeons Clinical Congress. He joined me on our First SPSA Surgical Mission which I started , in Dagupan City, Pangasinan in 1985 tending to the poor and needy kababayans. He continued joining our missions in succeeding years to different parts of our beloved country.
Enrico was a simple man but with Class, a little flamboyant but not materialistic . He was always straight to the point without pretensions, a Man for all Seasons. He was humorous and loved to trade jokes. He has a distinct warmth and a contagious smile. He was a very loyal friend who sided with you through thick and thin, and will go down with you in a sinking ship rather than abandon you. He is no ladies man nor a Casanova but he has that special “electric spark” in winning the heart and love of his life. Sixteen years ago, he met a Beautiful, Charming and Sophisticated lady at one of the Medical Reunions in Miami, became his dancing partner the whole week and really enjoyed the brief encounter. A week after the event he called her up and immediately proposed his undying love but she cautioned him that he was pursuing her a little bit too fast. This did not discourage Enrico and two months later, he called me up in St. Louis where I was practicing inviting me to their wedding a month later at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, here in Las Vegas. WOW, what a whirlwind Courtship and they loved and lived happily ever after “ till death do us part”.
I will miss Enrico very much with his friendly personality that exudes a special aura of sincerity and confidence which made him well loved and respected by everybody. Melinda and I extend our sincerest condolences to his wife Evelyn, Children and Grand children. His fruitful and good life will continue to live on in the lives of his dearest family, friends and colleagues.
A prayer for my friend:
“ My Lord, a great friend and beloved colleague has passed away. Our faith tells us that this is not the end. The death and glorious resurrection of your only Begotten Son have bridged the gap between this valley of tears and the eternal bliss beyond . We are confident that you will bring our departed brother to that happy dwelling place which you have prepared for all of us in heaven. Bless those who mourn for their beloved, dry their tears, soothe their fears and lift their thoughts and feelings. Life is but the threshold of eternity. We die so that we will die no more, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever” AMEN
MY FRIEND, FAREWELL TO YOU , WE WILL MISS YOU TERRIBLY !
DANIEL C. FABITO M.D.
