Sylvester Phillip Garcia

Sylvester Phillip Garcia

85 years old

Sunrise: May 1, 1939 – Sunset March 8, 2025

Silvestre, known as Sylvester “Vete” Garcia was born to Alfred B.  and Jennie (Felicitas) P. Garcia on May 1, 1939, in Gilcrest Colorado. Sylvester died from complications of Parkinson’s Disease on March 8, 2025, in Platteville, CO. Sylvester died peacefully in his sleep and was surrounded by his family during his time of illness. 

He worked in the farm fields in Gilcrest, Colorado from a very young age. He attended Gilcrest Elementary School until the family moved to Platteville, CO in the early 1950s. 

Sylvester attended Platteville School until he began working full time to assist with supporting the family.  He began dating Juanita (Jennie) Andrade in 1954 and got married in Platteville, Colorado in 1958. Together, Sylvester and Jennie have five children – Kenneth (Loretta), Sylvester Thomas (Shelly), Brian (Shelly), Sandra Garcia Vigil (Andy), Jason (Tammy) and eleven grandchildren, three great grandchildren and three chihuahuas. His first and favorite chihuahua, Poquito, is deceased. 

After Sylvester and Jennie got married, he began working for Peter Kiewit then Flatiron Paving and then Best Way Paving Company where became a foreman.  He then started his own paving company, G&G Paving, until health issues forced him to retire. Sylvester’s favorite hobbies were anything to do with cars, and he loved to draw. 

In the early 1970s, Sylvester, Florentino Chacon, and Jess “Coochie” Agripino started an athletic club called “The Amigos.” Sylvester was very involved as were his children. He drew and painted a poster showing the projected plan for “The Amigos.” That poster hung in the Platteville Town Hall for several years, until they relocated. Several young men who were involved with “The Amigos” as young boys, went on to become very successful in high school sports.  

He was in a car club in the 1950s called “The Flintstones.” Then in the late 1950s early 1960s Sylvester, Sonny, Joey Soto and a few of their friends started the car club, “The Road Angels” and in the mid-1970s, Sylvester revived “The Road Angels.” He, along with his boys and his brothers, Sonny & Johnny, were very involved, as were his sisters, nephews and nieces.  Together they successfully ran the club for at least ten years.   Numerous friendships were made and so many will always remember the car shows attended.   

Sylvester was always working so very hard, and he loved Christmas. He and Jennie would always ensure that the kids had plenty to open and the latest new toys. He was also very generous to others, whether it was a family member, friend, or a stranger on the street.  He never turned away anyone in need. There was always a houseful at the Garcias. Sylvester and Jennie had a revolving door –someone was always living in their home besides their family. No one was ever turned away. The last few years of his life, the Parkinson’s Disease slowed him down, but he was resilient. He fought to the very end. He faced challenges with courage, lived his life to the fullest but faced adversity with strength.  

2 Timothy 4:7 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Sylvester is survived by his first love, Jennie, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his siblings, MaryAnne Baca Garcia, Carmen (Juan) Rodriguez, Suzan Garcia, Patsy Garcia, John (Irene) Garcia, Margie Garcia, Barbara Garcia, and Elizabeth Garcia and numerous nieces and nephews. 

He is Preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Jennie P. Garcia, his brother and sister-in-law, Sonny and Sarah Garcia, and his youngest sister Percy Garcia. 

A memorial service will be held for Sylvester on Friday March 21, 2025, at 11am at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 520 Marion Ave, Platteville, CO 80651.