by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2025

Elio Garcia Bello was born on March 2, 1923, in Key West, Florida, to Maria Carmen Amparo Rodriquez (1885-1959)  and Jose Garcia Bello (1871-1950).

His siblings

In 1930, Elio lived with his parents and siblings at 511 United St in Key West. 

In 1935, the family lived at 1017 Simonton St in Key West. 

In 1940, Elio lived with his parents at 1017 Simonton St in Key West.

He enlisted in the National Guard on November 25, 1940 in Tampa, Florida.

On September 29, 1942, Elio joined the Navy and served there until his discharge on December 28, 1945.

Elio married Grace Delores HENRIQUEZ in Florida on May 31, 1943.

Elio and Grace Garcia

CHILDREN

  • Dennis E was born in 1946 in Key West, Florida.
  • Twins Martha Jean and Matilda ‘Tilly’ Ann were born on January 21, 1952, in Key West, Florida.

Elio and Grace lived at 704 Margaret St in Key West in 1945. Elio worked as a sailor. 

In 1947, Elio lived at 1017 Simonton St in Key West. On his draft card, he listed Coco Cola Bottling Co as a place of employment. He is listed as being 6’1 tall and weighing 175 lbs. with brown hair, brown eyes, and a ruddy complexion.

In 1950, Elio and Grace lived with their son, Dennis at 2501 Staples Ave. in Key West, Florida.

“He was a building manager for the Federal Building in Key West, a Navy veteran of World War II, a member of Nights Lions Club, High Noon Lions Club, 4th Degree Knight, Grand Knight, Past Grand Knight of Council No. 3652, Faithful Navigator, District Deputy of Monroe County Knights of Columbus, building manager and overseer for new Knights of Columbus Hall, trustee of Council No. 3652, chairman of bingo, Honor Guard chairman for Knights of Columbus, held all local and state offices in the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge, chairman for drive for retarded citizens for Knights of Columbus, and was a member of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Key West.” (source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64202577/elio-garcia-bello)

LOSSES

  • His father Jose passed away on June 2, 1950, in Key West, Florida, at the age of 78.
  • His mother Maria Carmen Amparo passed away on November 10, 1959, in Key West, Florida, at the age of 73.
  • His sister Blanca Rosa Bello died on April 12, 1982, in Key West, Florida, when Elio Garcia was 59 years old.
  • His brother Candido ‘Beby’ died on February 17, 1993, in Key West, Florida, when Elio Garcia was 69 years old.
  • His sister Carmen died on February 23, 1995, in Miami, Florida, when Elio Garcia was 71 years old.

Elio Garcia Bello died on March 25, 2001, in Brandon, Florida, when he was 78 years old. Elio was laid to rest in the Key West Cemetery.

Key West Cemetery
Key West Cemetery

SOURCES

1930 United States Federal Census; 1940 United States Federal Census; 1950 United States Federal Census; Florida, U.S., Marriage Indexes, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001; U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010; U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949; U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current; Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current; The ey_West_Citizen_1952_01_26_3 BELLO TWINS; Rachel Ann Bazo – Keefe originally shared PHOTO of Elio on 15 Apr 2023 on Ancestry .com.