Salute to a remarkable man

Title

Creator

Francisco, Floriño A.

Language

English

Year

1964

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

Salute To A Remarkable Man By Dr. FLORINO A. FRANCISCO Cabanatuan City Dr. Guinersindo Garcia, Sr. has passed away. But his spirit still lives with us today. Yes, his spirit will live forever in the minds of his countless friends, patients, collea gues in the profession, brothers in Masonry, and admirers who have known him as a civic and moral leaders, educator, nationalist, Pro testant lay leader, Mason, and first rate surgeon. For Dr. Garcia was trtdy a remarkable figure, a man ol immense charm, a courageous and zealous leader with a pacific tempci of mind, whose life can well inspire others tremendously. It was only two years ago when 1 first met Dr. Guinersindo Garcia, Sr. That sunny April morning of 1962, while I was on my way to the Asbury Chapel of the Mary John ston Hospital to attend the morning service, someone placed his hand gently on my shoulder. He was Dr. Garcia. Since then, I came to know him personally. I can never forget the lesson that he once imparted to me. He said to me, “Young man, always remember that anything worthwhile doing is worth doing well.” Dr. Garcia’s humility, independ ence of mind, and self-effacing spirit was what made him stand out easily among other civic and moral leaders of our times. Those who knew him well admired his character and res pected his noble ideals and princi ples for which he had so devotedly and zealously worked. An inde fatigable worker, he still found time, in between his duties as administrator of the Mary John ston Hospital and as regent of the state university, to minister to the material and spiritual needs of the many lowly unfortunates. He had devoted much of his time to many civic, religious, and humanitarian organizations three most notable of which were thc Friendship, Inc., the National Committee for the Preven tion ol Alcoholism and the Freema sonry. A noted writer once wrote, “Many people leave behind one kind of im mortality, the immortality of work and inlluencc. 'When wc die, thc work we leave behind us continues to influence others and play a part, however small, in the life of the com munity in which we live.” Dr. Garcia is dead. But, in death he left behind him such kind of im mortality. If during Dr. Garcias lifetime, some dust showed on his feet and hands, it was only because he chose Turn to page 387 May 1964 371 ing that we sei upa Legal Committee that will have two functions. First, to advice our brother masons on whom to write a will so, that when they die it can not be said that they retracted and that they have turned their back on Masonry. The second function of this Committee will be to encourage our brother masons as they make out their wills to remem ber the Masonic projects — the Ma sonic Crippled Children’s Home. Time is coming when we need a Masonic Home lor the Aged. There are other institutions that we ought to become interested in. A brother mason in this jurisdiction a year ago said to me, "I have made out a will.” He had included a certain project that he knew I was interested in. I received this paper from the Court today and this masonic pro ject will be benefited because this man who loved masony when he made out his will said "I want my interest in masonry to continue. Af ter my death, when the will is set tled there will be a number of ma sonic projects that will benefit from it. There are others here tonight who ought to make a will in order to protect their families but they also ought to include something that will perpetuate their interest in ma sonic activities lor many years to come. Number Five. — I am recommend ing that we established a Historical Committee to gather Masonic relics, information and biographical sketches of masons who base made significant contributions to the masonic frater nity in the Philippines Number Six. — 1 hat we determine to complete the renovation of our (hand Lodge Temple so that wc shall have a more adequate place to hold our Grand Lodge Communica tion and to carry on the other func tions which are necessary. Number 7 — I am recommending tonight that we this year be men ol faith. Masonry is not a religion but masonry teaches us that each one has a right to choose for himself the way that he will worship Almighty God. 1 am not asking anyone of you to worship as I worship but I am asking you tnight lo worship God regularly and become men of faith. And I am urging tonight that every mason be known as God-fearing man who worships his God regularly as his conscience dictates. 1 am highly honored this even ing to be elevated to this high of fice. I thank the brothers who have placed their confidence in me and 1 am looking forward to working with these men for the good of Ma sonry in the Philippines, Okinawa, Japan, Guam and Saipan. A A SALUTE TO A. . . (From page 371) to tread the dusty road of Life so he could lead them, who are stranded on it, to the Path of Righteousness. The willingness lo serve others even if one had to go oui of his way to render ii and even without pro mise of material reward—such a noble concept of service exemplified so well by Dr. Guinersindo Garcia, Sr. in his lifetime, is a brilliant example and a lasting inspiration that we shall always love to cherish and immilate. He is indeed a giant among men! May you rest in eternal peace with Him in the Great Beyond! May 1964 387

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