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09/30/2015 - Elko, Nevada, USA

Nicholas Fagoaga, an Elko lesakarra, good friend and worker, a Navarrese that arrived in Elko in 1951 to work as a shepherd and settled here and founded family, becoming a pillar of the local Basque community and the Elko Basque club... has died September 30th, 2015. Born October 16, 1926, he would have been 89 years in a few days. His first steps in the US were as a sheepherder, but he was a great a carpenter, and a beautiful carver, activity that he liked, having left kutxas and really nice works that some of his family and friends enjoy. He founded Fagoaga Construction, and built many houses and buildings in the area, but surely two he was particularly proud of are the Basque farm shaped building of the Elko Basque Club and the Elko Pelota court, a part of the Elko Municipal Public Park.

We´ll miss you. A big hug, Nick. Beti gure bihotzetan izango zaitugu gogoan.

Obituary published by the Elko Daily Free Press:

Nicolas Fagoaga died September 30, 2015 at his home surrounded by family. He was born October 16, 1926 in Lesaka Navarra, Spain. He was the third of eight children.

Nicolas finished third grade and went to work for the family. At a young age he learned hard work and family is what life is all about. He did a variety of jobs but his favorite was working in the carpentry shop where he learned the skills of wood working and wood carving, which he continued to do until the last few years of his life.

Nicolas was an avid bike racer from a very young age, winning many bike races in the Basque Country. He enjoyed watching bike racing live as well as following every race on TV until his final days.

Nicolas came to the United States in 1951 as a sheepherder for Tony Smith. The solitude of the Rubies was not to his liking so he went to California and worked on ranches and in 1959 he moved to Elko and worked for Sauveur Elizagoyen as a carpenter.

On November 25, 1961 he married the love of his life, Betty White. They started Fagoaga Construction in 1963 and after 36 years of changing Elko and surrounding communities with many beautiful homes and commercial projects, he retired. After retirement he continued to work on projects for his family and some of his most rewarding accomplishments were building the Elko Basque Clubhouse and Fronton (handball court).

Nicolas was very proud of his Basque heritage and was one of the founding fathers of the National Basque Festival and Elko Basque Club. He was President of the Basque Club for numerous years and taught his children, son in laws and grandchildren to continue with his service.

Nicolas enjoyed traveling the world with his family every 4 years for the Summer Olympics. He was interested in all sports but his favorites were bike racing, boxing, and track and field.

His greatest joy in life was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and all of their accomplishments. He attended every game, school program, race, and rodeo up until the very end.

Nicolas is survived by his wife of 53 years, Betty, son Philip (Carrie), daughters Casey (Glen) Guttry and Catalina (Pat) Laughlin; granddaughters Jessica (Mike) Galan, Samantha (Kyle) and Shauna Guttry; grandsons Nicolas and Tony (Abriana) Fagoaga, Patxi, Peio and Cecil Laughlin; great grandchildren Nayeli and Maddi Galan, Riley Fagoaga and Cash Guttry; sister Asun (Jose Martin) Fagoaga of Lesaka; brothers-in-law Fred (Lynn) White and Ed Granados, sister-in-law, Pilar Fagoaga, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Many have said that Nicolas has left behind a legacy not only in Elko but for the Basque heritage and we truly believe he has. He will be greatly missed by so many.

Services will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church October 8 at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow at the Elko Basque Clubhouse.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Elko Euzkaldunak Club P.O. Box 1321 Elko Nevada 89803.

Maite Zaituztegu Aita/Aitatxi eta ikuziko dugu berriro arte