Jose Manuel Garcia-Oliva, 87
Jose Manuel Garcia-Oliva, 87, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Amsterdam Nursing Home in New York, following a period of declining health.
He was born on September 16, 1938, in Havana, Cuba, the son of the late Manuel Garcia and the late Jovita Garcia. He was raised and educated in Cuba before coming to the United States in 1961. As a young man, he settled in Manhattan, where he built a remarkable life and career.
Mr. Garcia-Oliva was a vibrant and accomplished professional who dedicated decades of his life to the world of television. He worked with Univision Channel 41 and Telemundo Channel 47, where he played an intergral role in the Public Relations Department. His work left a lasting mark on Spanish-language media in New York.
In addition to his broadcasting career, he was deeply involved in the arts and entertainment community. He served as a former president of the Thalia Awards and was an active member of the Association of Entertainment Journalists, further reflecting his lifelong passion for the performing arts and media.
Throughout his life, he received numerous awards and commendations from the City and State of New York, as well as recognition from organizations around the world. Outside of his professional life, he had a deep love for travel, spending time throughout Europe, particularly in Spain, and venturing as far as Russia and Budapest. He was also an avid art collector, and pieces from his collection are now displayed in various museums in and around New York City.
He is survived by his sister, Dr. Maria Cuesta of Lowell; his niece, Beatriz Curley and her husband Jeff of Westford; and his nephews, Robert Cuesta and his wife Heather of Lowell, and Michael Cuesta and his wife Megan of Georgia. He also leaves his grandnieces and grandnephews: Molly Druid and her husband William of Westford, Andrew Cuesta and his wife Alecia, Benjamin Cuesta, Matthew Cuesta, Julia Cuesta, and Gabriel Cuesta, along with many cousins in Spain and throughout the United States.
A celebration of his life will be planned at a later date, details will be posted here when they become available. www.mcdonoughfuneralhome.com