Ernesta Garcia

Ernesta "Nestito", “Beta" Garcia, age 110, of Bridgeport, has entered the peaceful rest into the Arms of the Almighty God on July 19, 2021, in her home while surrounded by her family. Ernesta was a precious gem, born in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico to the late Juan Garcia and the late Eleuteria Hernandez and she was the third born of 11 siblings, all of who preceded her in death. She is the beloved widow of the late Lazaro Agosto who passed away when Ernesta was just 37 years old. Although a severe impact in her life and those of her children, Ernesta stopped at nothing to make sure her family never went without. Soon after his passing, Ernesta began to receive clothes from people and began washing clothes in an effort to provide and have food on the table for her five children. At the time, there weren't the luxuries we currently have now and she would go to the river's edge and wash clothes by hand as a washing machine was not part of the luxuries at her disposal. That did not stop her, because Ernesta had one thing in mind, her family! She fought for them every minute at every breath. She would never allow harm to come to those she loved so much and tolerate nothing less than them becoming the best they can be. In 1964 she came to New York for the birth of her first grandchild and decided this is where she wanted to be. She began working at a scissor factory and at a company where she would produce women's undergarments. She stopped at nothing, to get the best she could for her family. She relocated to Bridgeport in 1967 and because of her exceptional cooking abilities began to work at various Spanish restaurants that were pioneers in the Bridgeport area, such as La Cagueña Restaurant (Initially on East Main Street, today on Main Street), Rainbow Restaurant, and even at the Calypso Restaurant, evidently an extremely hardworking woman. Throughout time, she never changed in her ways and consistently went to St. Mary's Church on Sundays with her family, and soon thereafter, regardless of weather or timing, they would take a ride around Seaside Park. Right after, her house was the house to be. Everyone in the family knew they had one place to be on Sundays, Beta’s or Nestito’s house, however, you knew her by. Everyone knew food was gonna be off the charts and nothing brought her more joy than to see her family sharing time together and eating from her kitchen. Ernesta LOVED swimming and water fun. There were many great times at Quassy Amusement Park where she would slide down the slide head first and invested time teaching her grandchildren how to swim and enjoy the water, the beach at Seaside Park was another favorite spot for her. If there was water involved, Ernesta was there! It was probably one of her favorite pass times where even up to the age of almost 100 she enjoyed going swimming. As years passed, she never lost her spunk, her feisty behavior nor her desire to look her best wherever and whenever she went anywhere. Her hair had to be on point and everyone who knew her admired her energy and willingness not to let her age be the defining factor in whatever she did. Later in life, she lost a few of her children which was very devastating for her and those who knew her understood, as her love for her children was nothing less than stellar and exemplary of what a mother's love is. There is so much that can be said about her, words could never express enough, and time could never give enough opportunities to speak about everything she was, is, and did throughout her years. At the same time, those things she did, the wonderful things she experienced with those she loved so much, are the same things that for years to come will be a source of inspiration, laughter, and chuckles for those she leaves behind. Ernesta is survived by her son Juan Antonio Agosto, her daughter Elena Arroyo (Victor Arroyo), her grandchildren, Sonia Pina, Helen Cora, Elizabeth Arroyo, Jeanette Lexie, Charleen Merced, Layza Merced, Daniel Acevedo, Alex Acevedo, Miguel Acevedo, Jason Agosto and Nerissa Agosto Casanova, 20 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, spouse, and siblings, she was preceded in death by her daughters the late Maria Virgen Acevedo (Rafael Acevedo), the late Rosalia Agosto (Rafael Merced) and the late Juan Agosto. She will be sorely missed by all who had the honor to share with her. Calling hours are on Thursday, July 22, 2021, from 5:00 P.M. until 5:30 P.M. for immediate family ONLY with friends from 5:30 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Funeraria Luz de Paz, (Peaceful Light Funeral Home), 426 E. Washington Avenue, Bridgeport, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Friday, July 23, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. at the Blessed Sacrament Church, 275 Union Avenue, Bridgeport. Interment will follow in the Lakeview Cemetery, Bridgeport.