
The Floreciente neighborhood in the West End of Moline is a place full of pride and hardworking people.
Don Lupe Garcia was one of these hardworking residents of the Floreciente neighborhood. Last Saturday December 19 he passed away.
Floreciente was the neighborhood I called home when I first arrived in the U.S. on July 4, 1987. For the next seven years I lived on the corner of 7th street and 4th Avenue, right across the street from Las Americas grocery store where I would eventually work.
A group of “viejitos” would hang around the store and shoot the breeze. Don Lupe was one of them.

When he wasn’t hanging around with his buddies you would see him on his bicycle making his rounds delivering Tamales that people would order ahead of time.
There wasn’t a person in the neighborhood that does not know Don Lupe “El señor de los Tamales”
Rest in Peace Don Lupe I hope you’re hanging out with Don Granados, El Potorro and all the other “viejitos” that used to love hanging out by Las Americas.
Don Lupe had no family in the United States and Lucy Escamilla has taken the responsibility of organizing a holy burial for him.
You can make a donation in this link if you wish.
Community response from Don Lupe’s passing:
Father Guillermo Treviño
“Don Lupe was a friend of my father. They would see the fights and hang out a lot. When my father died, he was a pallbearer for his funeral and would visit my family every now and then. He also attended my first mass. Don Lupe was literally everywhere. May he rest in peace.”
Kristin Almanza
“He would come to my moms house here in the westend , and sell tamales, he was always so friendly, always had a smile on his face when he saw you. He would sit and talk with my parents about what was going on in his life. He was a hard worker and never complained about being out on his bike selling tamales.”