NEWARK, NJ — A former educator in the Newark school system and professor at Kean University is taking on a new challenge as he passes his 70th birthday: the New York Marathon. And he'll be running in the name of a local lifesaver... his late son.

On Sunday, Nov. 4, Ezequiel Garcia, 72, of Newark, will run in the iconic marathon on behalf of the NJ Sharing Network, a New Providence-based nonprofit that helps facilitate organ and tissue donation. He only started running in 2012 when he participated in a NJ Sharing Network 5K race, according to the group. Garcia recently joined the organization's Foundation Board of Trustees. He and his wife, Iris, are both "passionate advocates" for the mission of the nonprofit, spokespeople said.

Garcia moved to New Jersey from Puerto Rico in 1971, and worked in the Newark Public School System for 26 years. He also served as an adjunct professor and supervisor at Kean University. See related article: Newark Resident Ezequiel Garcia Appointed to Foundation Board On Sept. 11, 2011, Garcia's 29-year-old son, Reinaldo, died suddenly in a motorcycle accident. After his passing, Reinaldo became an organ and tissue donor.

Garcia recalls the events in the wake of his son's passing on his race webpage (see it/make a donation here):

"On June 2013, at the age of 71 years, I ran a 5K for the first time in my life which was sponsored by NJ Sharing Network, the non-profit organization who facilitated the whole organ donation process of my son. Since that time I have been running to honor the memory of my son Reinaldo. On October 1, 2017 I ran my first full marathon (26.2) in Corning, New York and on January 28, 2018 I ran the Miami Marathon in Florida. Now I am in training for my third: the New York City Marathon on November 4, 2018." Don't forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page here. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

