Gerald Arias Garcia, a resident of Erie and Naples, Florida, passed away Thursday, July 8, 2010.

Born in Spelter, West Virginia, he was a son of the late Leopold and Mercedes (Arias) Garcia.

He was a member of the Armed Forces, wounded while serving in Germany and receiving the Purple Heart. A graduate of Washington & Jefferson College, and post-graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Finance, he entered the work force with the U.S. Department of Treasury, serving as Field Auditor in the Pittsburgh District. In 1951, he was assigned to the Erie Office of the Internal Revenue Service. He held the position of Group Supervisor of the Erie, Bradford and Warren offices of the I.R.S. He was also certified to practice before the I.R.S. Court.

Upon early retirement from the Treasury Department, he established The Gerald A. Garcia Tax Consulting Service, both in Erie and Naples, Florida, where he also maintained a winter residence. He held the position of Secretary-Treasurer of the Country Fair Stores.

Actively involved in the Boy Scout program, he served at Troop Leader, Treasurer and President of the French Creek Council. With an avid interest in his Spanish heritage, he made numerous visits to Spain, gathering information regarding maternal and paternal relatives. It was his fervent desire to someday occupy the family homestead in Northern Spain.

He is survived by his wife, Jean; three sons and their wives, Dr. Gregg Garcia and Julie, Dr. Gerald D. Garcia and Lesley, all of Erie, and Philip Garcia, of Ft. Myers, Florida; six grandchildren, Michael, Gillian, Jennifer, Jessica, Kaitlyn and Graham Garcia; and a brother and sister residing in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Private funeral services will be under the direction of the Brugger Home for Funerals, 1595 West 38th Street at Greengarden. Burial with full military honors in Erie County Memorial Gardens.

The family would appreciate memorials to Erie City Mission, 1007 French Street, Erie, 16501.