euskalkultura.eus

09/13/2017 - Bay Area, Kalifornia, USA

February 11,1962 - September 13,2017

Jean-Michel passed away unexpectedly on September 13, 2017 near Oakland where he lived with his partner of over 24 years, Jeff Fountain. Born in San Francisco on February 11, 1962 to Auguste and Etiennette (nee Sabarots) Lapeyrade, he attended the French American Bilingual School. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UC Davis in 1983 and completed his MBA at UCLA. 

Jean-Michel was a loyal member of Oakland's Our Lady of Lourdes choir. His strong tenor voice filled the church for over ten years. He also sang with the South San Francisco Basque Choir, Elgarrekin, for several years. His joy in singing, his delight in sharing his rose garden, and his love for all who crossed his path made being with him a blessing. Those who spent time with him will remember his tender heart, his generosity, and kindness. 

Jean-Michel will be very deeply missed by friends who knew him from coast to coast. His passion for food, wine, the arts, and foreign languages will be remembered by all. His joie de vivre was contagious.

He is survived by his partner Jeff Fountain, his mother Etiennette Lapeyrade, his twin sister Marie-Nicole Lapeyrade and her partner Donald Holmes, his younger brother Pierre and his wife Shannon (née Cook) Lapeyrade, Jeff's brother Jay Fountain, and his seven nieces and nephews. His extended family includes in-laws in California and Texas as well as cousins, aunts, and uncles who reside in California and in the Basque Country, France.

His funeral mass will take place on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 11 AM, at Notre Dame des Victoires Church on Bush Street in San Francisco, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 2808 Lakeshore Ave. Oakland, CA 94610.

(published on Nov. 5, 2017 in San Francisco Chronicle, Legacy.com)