RAFAEL GARCIA DE LA HUERTA

It is with immense sadness and heartache that after a six-month battle with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, we announce the passing of husband and father Rafael Garcia de la Huerta at Health Sciences Centre May 3, 2018 with his family by his side.

He is survived by his wife Adriana; daughters Claudia (husband Robert Huculak, daughter Isabela), and Marcia (husband Remi Landes, daughter Lucy and son Judah), as well as extended family in Chile, the U.S. and Norway. 

Born in Chile, Rafael came to Canada and to Winnipeg in 1975 as a political refugee with his wife and two-year-old daughter. Like so many immigrants before him and afterwards, he spent a lifetime working hard to make a home for his family. Rafael built a career, first at Dominion Lumber and then at Star Building where he was the Truss Plant Manager until his retirement in 2014. 

During his time at Star Building, Rafael was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis. For three years he battled this disease that was literally stealing his lungs, one piece at a time. In 2006, Rafael became the oldest recipient of a double lung transplant in Manitoba. Because of his success the transplant department stopped putting an age limit on candidates. The transplant gifted Rafael with 12 more years of life. He saw his youngest daughter marry and saw the birth of two more grandchildren. 

After struggling with his health, this past Fall, he received the news that he had stage four cancer. Despite chemotherapy and radiation treatment, he succumbed to complications from the disease.

Rafael's family would like to thank Dr. Helmut Unrau and the rest of the organ transplant team at HSC. They would also like to thank CancerCare for all their amazing care and support these last six months, and finally the staff in the Respiratory Unit who cared for him on his final journey.

 
As per his final request, a private ceremony was held.

 
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you hug your dad, sign your donor card or register at signupforlife.ca and always donate to CancerCare.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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