Antonio (Tony) Rodriguez left us way too soon, Sunday Nov.16, 2014. Born to Rebecca Garcia Ames and helped raised by a wonderful man named Chester, whom he considered his real Dad.

A graduate of Ball High, Class of ’66. Tony served as a Washington, D.C. Policeman for four years while attending the University of Virginia. Returning to Texas, he worked for the Texas City P.D. for one year ultimately returning to his childhood home, Galveston, where he served as a Galveston Police Officer for 25 years.
He had the honor of attending and graduating from The National F.B.I. Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Served as a G.P.D. Field Training Officer and then the last five years as an Officer was spent working with children as a Teacher of the D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T. programs. Both programs gave him the fulfillment of helping just one child, all the effort and time well spent.

After retiring from G.P.D. he worked as a T.A.B.S. Truancy Officer for the Boys and Girls Club. During his time in and out of hospitals, he met many of his former students, who now work in the medical field and thanked Tony for steering them in the right direction. One former student showed him her D.A.R.E. card, which she proudly kept in her wallet all these years. The joy he felt by seeing these young adults prospering in life brought to mind the, “Starfish Story” found in “Star Thrower”, a collection of essays by the Naturalist and Writer, Loen Eiseley.

Tony is survived by his wife, as he would say, “The Love Of My Life”, Maryann (Mimi). The love he had for his extended family was returned many times over. Nephew Richard Thomas Garcia, Nieces Ashlee Simone Garcia, and his “Little Bit”, Brittany Nichole Garcia. He also leaves behind Great Nieces, Zoe, Lauren, and Great Nephew, his Mychal, whom he called “Buddy”.

Towards the end of his life, Tony found comfort in knowing that Patricia O’Brien, their Maid-of-Honor, was nearby comforting his wife Maryann (Mimi).
The Family would like to thank all the Nurses from A*Med Hospice: Suzanne Batista, Susan Loviere, Tammy Rodriguez, Jennifer Weaver. Also would like to thank Priscilla Amezquita and Joe Hinojosa.
Per his request, No Services Will Be Held.
The Original Starfish Story, by Loren Eiseley “Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”

“I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said,
“It Made A Difference For That One.”