euskalkultura.eus

03/21/2016 - Boise, Idaho, USA

Published in Idaho Statesman on March 27, 2016:

Simon Achabal (1934 - 2016)

Simon Achabal passed away peacefully in the early hours of Monday, March 21, 2016 in his home with his wife by his side.

Dad was born on October 28, 1934, in Ispaster (Vizcaya), Spain to Simon and Santiaga Achabal and was the third of four children. At the age of 18, he immigrated to the U.S. under the sponsorship of his Uncle Andres Achabal. He moved to Hammett, Idaho where he worked for Wilbur Wilson, owner of the Hammett Sheep Ranch. The Wilson family showed him a level of kindness he had never expected and it had a huge impact on his life.

After 8 years in Hammett, Dad decided to make the move to Boise where he lived with his cousin, Julian Lachiondo and his family. He got a job in the meat packing industry with Swift & Co, and stayed working for them until they closed their operations in Boise. Julian invited Dad to work at Gem Meat Packing Co. where Dad eventually became a partner. Together Dad and Julian created the recipe for the chorizo that Gem Meat has become famous for and that has been enjoyed by so many people for so many years.

While living with the Lachiondos, Dad made friends with a group of American-Basques, and in 1960 they decided to travel to Europe. It was during their time in the Basque Country that they met a dance group from San Sebastian by the name "Oinkari." This group taught the band of friends a few dances to take back to the U.S. with them. Shortly thereafter, the Boise version of the Oinkari dancers was born. It was in this group of friends that Dad met his future wife, Toni Murelaga. Simon and Toni dated for about three years before being married in August of 1967. Together they raised three daughters.

Dad enjoyed many things, but amongst his favorite was any activity happening down at the Basque Center; from sitting outside and people watching, to going to the monthly dinners, to helping put on Basque events. Mostly, he enjoyed playing Muz and Pinochle every Sunday with his buddies.

Dad was preceded in death by both of his parents, Simon and Santiaga; two brothers, Juan Luiz and Julian and Julian's wife, Rosemarie; a sister, Arantza and niece, Neskutz; and granddaughter, Itzar Papapietro. He is survived by his wife, Toni; his daughters, Lisa (Marc) Norton and their children, Bo and Abi; Julia (Curt) Erskine and their child, Lexi; and Tere (Carl) Papapietro and their children, Lili and Xavi; his nephew, Steve (Carmen) Achabal and their children, Ava and Ander; and many other beloved relatives both in the US and in the Basque Country.

The family would like to thank Legacy Hospice staff as well as the overnight aides from Bright Star Home Health for their help during Dad's end of life. Their kindness and compassion were of great comfort to both Dad and the rest of the family in an otherwise difficult time.

A vigil service will be held at 7:00 pm on Monday, March 28, 2016 at Summers Funeral Home, Ustick Chapel, Meridian. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am, Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at St. John's Cathedral in Boise, interment following at Morris Hill Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to either Euzkaldunak or to the Basque Museum and Cultural Center.

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Published by the Oinkari Basque Dancers on March 29, 2016:

Today we are celebrating the life of Simon Achabal. As a founder of the Oinkari Basque Dancers, Simon helped to give so many of us the most beautiful opportunity we've ever dreamed of. It is a truly unique blessing to share in the joy, the beauty, the celebration of life that is Basque dance. So many people throughout the 55+ year life of this group have discovered their strongest friendships, their truest loves through the group. The extraordinary pride we take in preserving the traditions of our ancestors is something we will all carry with us throughout our lives. Most of us were born in America and may never have had the opportunity to dantza without the Oinkaris. We will never be able to thank you enough, Simon, for what you and your friends created, and for the gift you've given us all, but we promise to pass it on for another 50 years. Eskerrik asko - this jota is for you.