The Brownsville Herald - Online EditionObituaries - June 10, 2006 CORLISS J. GRIFFIN, 62, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 at Valley Regional Medical Center. Funeral ar-rangements are pending under Guerra Funeral Home, 3955 Coffee Port Road, (956) 544-1171. ELISE TETREAU, 59, passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2006 at Valley Regional Medical Center. A graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 12, 2006 at Buena Vista Burial Park. Funeral arrangements are under Delta Funeral Directors, 1300 E. Harrison St., (956) 542-2222. REV. ROBERT JAMES MCGRATH, OMI 1929 - 2006 On the evening of May 30, 2006, Rev. Robert J. McGrath, OMI, passed peacefully from this life of fulfillment to the Kingdom of God, of which he had preached for 50 years as an ordained minister of the Gospel. Father Bob, as he was affectionately known, was born in Chicago, Illinois, to John and Marie Griffin McGrath on August 29, 1929. He went to San Antonio where he graduated from St. Anthony High School Seminary. Following junior college, he entered the Oblate Novitiate of Notre Dame at Richelieu, Canada. He returned to take philosophy and theology studies at DeMazenod Scholasticate (now Oblate School of Theology) where he earned the master of divinity degree. He was ordained a Catholic priest on September 8, 1955. Father Bob's first appointment as parochial vicar was to Sacred Heart Parish in McAllen, Texas, followed by assignments to Brownsville, Houston and Colorado Springs, Colorado. He served as pastor at St. Patrick's Church and Blessed Sacrament Church in Houston and Queen of Peace in Aurora, Colorado. He was director of recruitment and vocation discernment for the Missionary Oblates of the Southwest for eight years. During that time, he traveled extensively, conducting workshops and days of reflection for high school and college youth who were interested in pursuing a vocation to religious life or priestly ministry. He was a member of the Province Council of the Missionary Oblates when the decision was made in 1983 to undertake the mission which is flourishing today in Zambia, Africa. He was admired and esteemed as a caring pastor at all the churches where he served. With an engaging personality he put people at ease, and his infectious smile allowed people to feel comfortable in his presence. He was truly a people person with a ready sense of humor which brought relief to difficult situations. Before retiring to Oblate Madonna Residence, he was chaplain at Incarnate Word Convent in Corpus Christi, Texas. He is survived by a brother, Father John McGrath, OMI, of San Antonio; a sister, Marilyn McGury and nieces. Rosary vigil will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 4, 2006 at Immaculate Conception Memorial Chapel at Oblate School of Theology. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 5, 2006, at Immaculate Conception Memorial Chapel at Oblate School of Theology, 285 Oblate Drive, San Antonio, Texas. Interment will be at the Oblate Community Cemetery. RICHARD A. GARCIA Richard A. Garcia, born on September 22, 1941, in Brownsville, Texas, passed away on June 6, 2006, in San Antonio, Texas. Growing up, Richard was an Eagle Scout and educated in Brownsville, Texas. His honorable duty to our country resulted in gain-ing him 4th Marine Recon Battalion and a Marksmanship Award. Richard graduated from St. Mary's University with a bachelor of arts in microbiology and holds three master's degrees from various universities. He worked for Southwest Research, and in 1967, he moved his family to Baton Rouge, La. and worked at the School of Public Health in Carville, La. He then returned to San Antonio in 1973, working for the Bexar County Hospital District. Richard worked for six years at the San Antonio Children's Center and then went to work with the University of Texas Health Science Center, investing 28 years. At the time of his death, he was employed as assistant vice president for South Texas Programs. He was a private pilot and flew with the Commemorative Air Force piloting the B-25 Yellow Rose. He was also a member of the Texas Medical Rangers. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Ricardo Alejandro Garcia and Josefina Lopez. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Georgia Peckman Garcia of San Antonio, Texas; daughter Audria Garcia of Long Island, N.Y.; son Steven A. Garcia and wife Rosalinda of San Antonio, Texas; and grandchildren Kaiyana J. Garcia and Nicodemius O. Garcia. A memorial rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, 2006, at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 12, 2006, at St. Luke's Catholic Church, 4603 Manitou Dr., San An-tonio, Texas 78228. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Yellow Rose, c/o Robert H. Gardner, 248 Galvin Drive, Seguin, TX 78155 or to the Richard Garcia Memorial Fund at UTHSC, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900. You may sign the online guest book at www.missionparks.com under the obituary section. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Mission Park Funeral Chapels North, 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive, San Antonio, Texas, 78230, (210) 349-1414. The Brownsville Herald 1135 E. Van Buren Brownsville, TX 78520 956-542-4301 1-800-488-4301 © 2000 The Brownsville Herald