San Antonio has lost a Legend.
Rodolfo G. Garcia Sr. "DON FITO", died peacefully surround by family
this past Sunday, March 19, 2006 in his Westside home of San Antonio at the age
of 89. He was born into a family of carperos to Manuel and Teresa Garcia on
January 7, 1917 right after his mother finished performing at the Teatro Morelos
in downtown San Antonio. He was known as el gran comico DON FITO El Bato Suave
of La Carpa Garcia. Together with his brothers and sisters he traveled
throughout Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona bringing dance, music,
satire monologues, burlesque, magic, acrobatics, high-wire acts, and comedic
sketches to the poor and working class Mexican-American communities. In these
teatro de carpas or circus-like family-own traveling tent shows the whole family
shared in the responsibilities of all aspects of carpa life— From sewing
costumes and performing to tent construction and tutoring.
Even after La Carpa Garcia closed in 1947, my grandfather ‘s life and the
life of other carperos continue to engage, inspire and motivate generations of
artistas. Las Carpas were truly pioneers in Mexican-American Teatro and bring
arte to the people. It is fitting that my grandfather died on March 19 2006
seventeen years to the date that “Los Actores de San Antonio” closed the run of
the play “Las Tandas de San Cuilmas-Los Carperos” by José Manuel Galván at the
Guadalupe Theater. In addition to being an inspired artist, Don Fito was a
hardworking, dedicated, single father. He raised 5 children on a janitors salary
in a strict household and brought them up to understand responsibility, work
ethic, and to be proud of the many ways that Mexicans in the U.S. contribute to
the arts.
Please join the Garcia family in honoring Don Fito by visiting our memorial
at http://www.mem.com. Visitation will begin on Wednesday, March 22, 2006
at 3pm with a Rosary to follow at 7pm at Roy Akers Funeral Home. On Thursday,
March 23, 2006, the funeral procession will depart the funeral home at 12:30 pm
for a 1:00 pm mass celebrating his life at San Juan de los Lagos Catholic
Church, 3231 El Paso St., San Antonio, Texas. Interment will follow at San
Fernando Cemetery #2. In lieu of flowers, we encourage memorial contributions be
made to an arts organization of your choice.
“Nuestra herencia mantiene nuestra cultura y el arte fortalece nuestro
espiritu.” S.Garza
