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2015/06/07 - Nampa, Idaho, AEB

Arrieta, Bizkaia, 1927 - Nampa, Idaho, 2015

(obituary published by the Idaho Press-Tribune)

Albert Abaunza 87 passed away June 7, 2015 of a sudden heart attack at St Al's in Nampa.

He was born November 21, 1927 in Arrieta, Bizkaia to Juan Jose Abaunza and Segunda Bilbao.

He came to America as a young Basque man looking for a better way of life. In 1958 he met a young Basque woman in Cascade Idaho, Juanita Onaindia. They were married in Cascade in 1958 and their life's journey began. To their marriage of 56 years they had two daughters Milagros and Anita. He was always proud of his girls in everything they did. Being the only man in the home he always felt outnumbered but always made his point.

In 1962 he became a proud American citizen along with his in-laws Jose and Maria Onaindia. He always felt that this was his home and was proud of it.

Albert worked for the Colin McLeod Sheep Company, Idaho Meat Packers and Simplot. To all of his employers he was a loyal and trustworthy employee and could always be trusted to put in a hard day's work. When he retired this was a hard adjustment for someone who had worked so hard all his life. It took him awhile to start to enjoy this transition in his life. You could find him every morning, weather permitting, walking the track at Caldwell High School and was proud of how far he could walk each day. He was the best dog sitter for his daughter's dogs when they would need someone to look after them. He got to spend his last afternoon with us watching his best friend Marvin (Anita's dog) and loving every minute of it.

His home was always open to anyone who needed a meal or help. His generosity was endless. He always said if you leave my dinner table hungry it is your own fault. He always had a drink or a cigar ready for anyone who wanted one.
He is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, in-laws, 3 sister in-laws, 4 brother in-laws.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years Juanita, daughters Milagros (Albert) Izaguirre, Anita (Dana) White, grand-daughters Melissa (Douglas) Runyan, Kayla Izaguirre (Austin Knight) and Amber (Jerry) Orr. He is also survived by many special nieces and nephews that he felt were his own children and he loved very much.

The family would like to thank the Caldwell Fire Department, Canyon County Ambulance and the staff at St. Al's in Nampa for their support and caring.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2015 from 6:00-8:00 PM with Rosary Recital at 7:00 PM at Flahiff Funeral Chapel in Caldwell, Funeral Mass will be held on Friday June 12, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Caldwell. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.