euskalkultura.eus

2015/05/30 - Boise, Idaho, AEB

Sukarrieta, 1931 - Boise, 2015

(obituary published by the Idaho Statesman)

Tony Arrubarrena, 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 30, 2015 with his family surrounding him in prayer. Born to Francisco Arrubarrena and Benita Amarica in Pedernales, Bizkaia on December 12, 1931, he grew up at the family baserri (farmstead) "Suspitxu" with his parents, brother Jose Mari, and sister Ana Mari.

Tony attended school in Mundaka, Bizkaia and worked on the family farm with his father. As a teenager, he was already skilled in livestock care, vegetable cropping, small forestry maintenance, light stonework and construction. At the age of 19, he served in the Spanish Navy.

Following his father and uncle's footsteps, Tony came to Idaho to herd sheep in March of 1955. He returned to the Basque Country to marry his hometown sweetheart Victoria Oleaga on July 11, 1959, and traveled back to Idaho to continue sheepherding after their first child Miren Nekane was born. Two years later, in 1962, Tony's wife and daughter joined him in Boise and he earned his U.S. citizenship. In 1963 and 1967, Tony and Victoria had two more children, Rosa Mari and Anthony Joseph.

After his sheepherding days, Tony worked at the Boise Cascade lumber mill, Garrett Freightlines, and on the production line at Micron. Less than a year after retiring from Micron, he took on the position of custodian at the Basque Center and became one of the "faces" that represented the Basque community for 16 years. The Basque Center was truly his second home and anyone who came down to the Basque Block knew who Tony was.

One of Tony's greatest passions was his abundant garden. His famous peppers, leeks, garlic, tomatoes and flowers won dozens of awards at the Idaho State Fair. He loved sharing his produce with everyone and found solace in tending to his garden even after a 12 hour shift at work. His understanding of and respect for nature added yet another layer to his quiet wisdom.

Tony had many trades over his lifetime but what never wavered was his respect for a strong work ethic, dedication to family, and discipline in practicing the simplest and most fundamental acts of human kindness and gentle humility. His smiling face and genuine, friendly greeting was a constant for everyone he met. His guiding daily principle was to serve God and his fellow man through his devotion to the Catholic faith. His pick-up truck was regularly seen at homes of friends who needed help with repairs and maintenance for everything from pouring concrete to blowing out sprinkler systems. Tony's family meant the world to him. His four grandchildren were his pride and joy. His unconditional love for his children, their spouses and his grandchildren served as an example of the importance of keeping things simple.

Tony is survived by his wife Victoria; daughters Miren (Jon) and Rosa Mari (Ric); son Anthony (Kim); grandchildren Naiara (Thomas), Julen, Nekane and Josu; sister Ana Mari and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jose Mari.

A Vigil Service will be held at 4:00 pm on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at St. John's Cathedral. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, June 5, 2015 at St. Mark's Catholic Church, with internment to follow at Morris Hill Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to both the vigil and the funeral mass.

Memorials may be made to Euzkaldunak, Inc., or the Basque Museum and Cultural Center.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Tony's memorial webpage at www.summersfuneral.com.
 

-Interview with Tony Arrubarrena by Daniel Chertudi at the Basque Museum Oral History Collection