Joe Edward Garza, 83, of Groton, Massachusetts passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family at the VA Hospice Unit in Bedford, Massachusetts on Saturday, August 8th.

Joe was born in Monterrey, Mexico to Baldemar and Trinidad Garza, and grew up in San Antonio, Texas, from the age of 7. After graduating from Technical High School, he joined the army and served concurrent deployments in Korea and Vietnam. Upon returning home, he went to Embry Riddle Aeronautics School in Daytona, Florida, where he obtained licenses to work on fixed wing aircraft, which he did until his retirement 40 years later from U.S. Airways. He belonged to the Union Congregational Church where he served a term as a Deacon. He was also active in Groton Youth Baseball and served as Commissioner for several years, as well as developing the first two baseball fields at Cow Pond in town.

After moving to Boston to work at Logan Airport, he developed a passion for the ocean and sailing – later motorboats after his children were born. His favorite place to be was at his cottage in Wellfleet on the Cape or out on his boat with his family and friends in the bay.

He is survived by his wife, Judy, to whom he was married for nearly 49 years, and three sons: Robert Buckingham and his wife Mercedes of Old Lyme, CT, Jeffrey Garza and his partner Brian Deiter of Newton, MA, Andrew Garza and the mother of his children, Kim Dindial, of Groton, MA. He is survived also by his adored grandchildren, Austin and Logan Buckingham, of Old Lyme CT, and Alexis, Lily and Riley Garza, of Groton, MA.

He is survived also by brothers Richard Garza of Reno, NV, Baldemar Garza and wife Linda, and David Garza and wife Teri, of San Antonio, TX; sisters Martha Mendez and husband Martin, Emma Davila and husband Daniel of San Antonio, TX, and Irma Garza of Florida; as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in passing by his father, Baldemar Garza, mother Trinidad Garza (neé Tamez), brothers Rudy Garza, Mario Garza, and Jaime Garza, and sister, Sylvia.

GARZA - Joe Edward, a longtime Groton resident. August 8, 2026. Visiting hours will be held Thursday, August 20th at McGaffigan Family Funeral Home, 37 Main St., (Rte. 113) Pepperell, MA  from 4 – 7pm. Services will be held Friday, August 21st at 11am at the Union Congregational Church, 218 Main Street, Groton, followed by a celebration of life in the Prescott Room at the Groton Inn, from 1 – 4 pm.

“If love alone could have kept you with us, you’d have lived 1,000 years”