“Precious in the sight of Lord is the death of His Saints” (Psalm 116:15)
Master Fred Garcia… A great teacher, martial artist, mentor, and friend who left us on September 12, 2009. You will always be remembered…
Celebrating his life and Legacy
Master Fred Garcia joins his creator on September 12, 2009 at age 51. He was born on November 15, 1958 in his home country, Philippines. He is the 10th of 12 children and was a role model to his family and relatives. He is survived by his loving wife, Edna L. Garcia and two lovely children: Bradley (age 17) and Alison (age 14).
As the Bible says: “Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow”(Psalm 144:4); a man’s life can be so short and it was so for Master Fred Garcia. But his genuineness, goodness, generosity, his gentle and humble ways, and most of all, his presence will surely be missed.
His Legacy would be engraved in the hearts of those who are dear and near to him. And his positive impact will always be remembered and make a lasting effect.
His Life
In the Philippines, Fred attended UE High School and University of Santo Tomas (UST) with a BS degree in Architecture. He passed the PRC Board and became a licensed architect. He started with martial arts at age 14 and became an undefeated champion during his younger years. He had for years subscribed to a clean and healthy living.
In 1980 began to teach MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Then, worked for Hyundai Co. in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 1988 to 1991 migrated to Canada in 1993 and worked for Viceroy Home until 2008. In 2005, he founded Universal MMA and established a gym at Shepherd Avenue and Consumer Rd., North York, Ontario Canada.
He was an intense “seeker” and at the age of 25, he began studying the Bible and attending various church denominations. For many years, he was just reading the Bible to his family but never really committed or went to church regularly until they joined ROLIM (a Christian community). In 2006, he was so thankful to the Lord for revealing God’s truths to him here in Canada and for having ROLIM as his church. With these, he and his wife had a Christian church wedding in 2007 and he was able to lead his family to the Lord. Yes, not only was he a loving husband and a father but also became the spiritual leader of his family
His Mission and Vision
His MMA students addressed him as “Master Fred”. He was a very good teacher and through the gym, he provided not only a place for young people to go and practice martial arts but also an opportunity to make a difference in their lives. Many of them would testify that he has magnified Jesus through his life and example. He was not only an instructor but he was like a father to them as well. His love, energy and passion for teaching and for his students were very evident. He intensely trained and affirmed them; and showed care and encouragement for each of them. It was his personal mission and vision to reach out, value and train more people for Christ through the gym. He saw himself serving God in the ministry. And if only he was given much time in this world, he could have been a pastor/preacher or a missionary. He had his heart for the mission. He went to Mindoro, Philippines in 2008 and supported ROLIM’s mission ministry there.
“Eternal rest grant unto Fred Garcia, O Lord, and may perpetual Light shine upon him; may his soul and all souls, through the mercy of God, rest in peace…”
The following was the last video of Master Fred Garcia in blue suit with Guro Ramon Villardo circa May 2009 performing Kali full-contact drill.
