Reinaldo Garcia

Tissue and cornea donor

Age 29 – Newark, NJ

donated on 9/11/2011

At Clara Maass Medical Center

Honored by Bridge to Life with NJ Sharing Network

Growing up, Reinaldo García was a very healthy and active boy, who, early in life, demonstrated a high degree of intelligence, curiosity, and the ability to play sports. He started playing T-ball when he was only five, and he continued playing baseball through high school and college, until he had to devote more time to his college studies. He finished his BA in Education in New Jersey and became a very successful Physical Education at a local High School in Newark. He was beginning his sixth year as a teacher when death suddenly surprised him on September 2011. Reinaldo had a very pleasant personality and was very passionate about everything in life. He loved to coach younger athletes and volunteer for all kind of events and activities. Offering Reinaldo’s tissue and corneas for donation is the most important decision his family has ever made. Knowing that a part of Reinaldo is still living in someone else gives his family the strength to continue their lives.

Reinaldo’s Story

Reinaldo was born on January 23, 1982, the second of three boys. He was a very healthy and active boy, who, early in life, demonstrated a high degree of intelligence, curiosity, and the ability to play sports. At the early age of 5 he was already playing T-ball in the Roberto Clemente Little League, where he played in all its divisions, having a very successful career until he entered college. He continued playing baseball at the college level until he had to devote more time to his college studies. He also played basketball and football while in school. He finished his BA in Education from Kean University in Union, New Jersey and became a very successful Physical Education and Health Teacher at Science Park High School in Newark, where he was beginning his sixth year as a teacher when death suddenly surprised him the morning of September 11, 2011. Reinaldo had a very pleasant personality and was very passionate about everything in life. Besides loving sports, he was involved in all school activities where he loved to be chaperon for different events, whether social or sports related. He loved to coach younger athletes and volunteer for all kind of events and activities. He was also a music lover who played music for his students to listen while participating in his Phys. Ed. classes. During his short life, he had the opportunity to travel extensively, especially to Puerto Rico which he loved very much even though he was born here in the United States. He went there with the whole family or by himself to enjoy the land where his parents came from.

Offering Reinaldo’s tissue and corneas for donation is the most important decision we have ever made. It has given meaning and purpose to our loss. It is a special way to honor his memory and it gives us comfort knowing that part of him is still living in someone else. It gives us strength to continue our lives knowing that someone has a better life because of him. He is our HERO.