Ernesto Garcia

Ernesto, Erne, born in Woodside, NY on February 9, 1922, passed away on January 16, 2022 at the age of 99.  He was preceded in death by his father, Geronimo Garcia, mother, Teresa Torres, brother, Andrew, and his loving wife of over 75 years, Ann DiGiovanni.  He leaves behind his adoring sister, Pilar Garcia Torres, nephews: Julian Marin Garcia and Lorenzo Marin Garcia, great-nephews:  Julian (son of Julian) and Carlos (son of Lorenzo), great-niece, Guadalupe (daughter of Julian) and her husband, Hector Oliva, and great, great-niece, Victoria, all of whom live in Zaragoza, Spain. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Geraldine Garcia of Chester CT, Ann’s niece, Roseann Bouchiere of New Britain, CT, along with a close-knit group of friends in RI, MA and NY.  We will always carry our memories of him in our hearts.

At the age of 4, Ernesto’s family moved from New York to Tarragona, Spain.  When he came of age he chose American Citizenship, moving back to New York with his older brother, Andrew.  After finishing school, they worked as commercial artists deciding to use the names Erne and Andre. Some time later, Erne went to work for the Astaire studios because he admired Fred Astaire. He said that it wasn’t the business that attracted him, it was because he liked dancing.

For over 50 years, he and his wife, Ann, owned one of the first Fred Astaire Dance Studio Franchises.  They started their studio in Connecticut and then moved to Rhode Island.  Erne also commuted to Boston, MA, to teach additional adult dance classes.  He and his students participated and won countless national dance competitions.  Upon retiring, Erne and Ann opened E and A Dance Studio, an independent dance studio, where they continued their love of teaching dance.

Early in his life Erne swam competitively, as he aimed to qualify for the Olympics.  After competing in what he referred to as sprints, he realized that long distance swimming was more his forte. In 1950, Erne became captain of the National Long Distance Swimming Team of New York.  He won a Lake Champlain Swim in 1952.  At the age of 45, Erne decided to train to swim across the Suez Canal.  He returned to competition on September 5,1968 winning the Men’s Professional Championship 15 Mile Marathon Swim in Lake Ontario, Canada covering the distance in 6 hours, 44 minutes and 56 seconds.  His Suez Canal training culminated on September 20, 1970 when at the age of 48 he swam a non-stop 30-mile course starting near the town of Kabrit, across Great Bitter Lake and Little Bitter Lake, towards the city of Ismailia. He completed the 30 mile course in 14 hours, one minute and 36 seconds, abiding by the official rules of no human touch during the swim.

Erne said that he liked dancing because of the artistry and he liked swimming because of the physicality.  Erne and Ann’s Persian cats, Thor & Adina, were adored and he had a great love and pride for his award winning Boxer, Gaucho.

Per his wishes, Erne will be cremated and his ashes buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery in New Britain, CT, next to Ann.  A private service will be held at a future date.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the ASPCA.