Pedro M

Gandia

Pedro Gandia, Jr., 93, passed away on November 7, 2026, in hospice, watched over by family.

Pedro was born on June 26, 1933, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Lydia Marin and Perucho Gandia. He grew up in Miramar and graduated from Perpetuo Socorro High School. He was a founding partner of Arco Supply in San Juan, where he worked for more than 20 years. He was known there for his kindness to employees and left a legacy of honor and service to the company. After retiring in 1992, he moved to central Florida with his wife, Maria Antonia, and all of his children eventually followed.

A man of great integrity, Pedro had a heart for others. He loved playing tennis and golf with his friends and spending time on walks with Maria Antonia. He deeply loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was always eager to help others, and in his quiet humility he volunteered for the things that needed doing, jobs that came without recognition but made other people's lives easier. He served as an usher at Blessed Trinity parish for over 30 years. If a ceiling fan needed installing, Pedro freely offered his help and had the skill to do the job. If you needed a dog-sitter, he was the first to volunteer. He found joy in making life a little easier for others. A lifelong Catholic, he lived a truly Christian life.

If Pedro was part of your life, your world was a little bit better.

Pedro is survived by his wife, Maria Antonia; his sons, Pedro Jose and Carlos Antonio (wife Lorraine); his daughters, Mareli Utz (husband Ed) and Annie; his grandchildren, Veronica, Katya, Carlos Jr., Stephanie, Sofia, and Edward, III; and his great-grandchildren, Alena, Fabian, Angelina, Lia, Ignacio and Lucian. He will be remembered as a loving husband, an adoring father, and a good friend.

He loved to celebrate at holidays and gatherings with his preferred cocktail, a Manhattan and like his beloved aunt, Titi Cachu, Pedro would raise his glass to make his favorite toast, "The first one of the day!" A funeral service will be held at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church on Wednesday, November 25, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html