A one-year anniversary memorial was held Saturday for the late Lower East Side activist Edward Garcia. A larger-than-life figure, Garcia died last Aug. 20 at age 51. He was a tenant leader at the Vladeck Houses, as well as a member of Community Board 3. But he was best known for his work with local youth, through his Sol Lain sports league, trips he led for local kids to amusement parks and his annual portrayal of Santa Claus, complete with bushy white beard and red suit. Above, right, friends left memorial messages for Garcia on a piece of butcher’s block paper. Below, right, his still grieving sister, Marilu, was comforted by a friend on the emotional day. In his absence, the Sol Lain league has been carrying on with its games.
