euskalkultura.eus

14/06/2016 - Ciudad de México, México

(Boise, ID, May 24, 1921 ~ Mexico City, June 14, 2016)

Joseph M. Uberuaga passed away in Mexico City on June 14, 2016. He was 95 years old. 

Born in Boise on May 24, 1921, Joe attended Central Grade School, Boise High School (where he proudly served as senior class president), Boise Junior College, and Boise Business College.

Work played a central role in Joe's life. At the age of 9, he began to work after school and on Saturdays. He first sold newspapers on the streets downtown, later worked as a cash boy at C.C. Anderson's, and spent several years at Syms York Printing Company. Joe enlisted in the army in 1942 and served for seven months (Fort Warren, Wyoming and Camp Lee, Virginia) before receiving an honorable medical discharge. With WWII still being fought in 1944 and all of his friends enlisted in the service, Joe's natural restlessness took him to Mexico City.

Despite his lack of job prospects, limited funds, and only high school Spanish, Joe made a life for himself in Mexico City. He first found work with the U.S. Railway Mission in Mexico to assist the Mexican government with the rehabilitation of their railway system. After the war, Joe gained employment with the Treasury Department at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City where he would be promoted to Treasury Representative and work until 1962. In the 1960s, his tenure with a Mexican fertilizer firm allowed him to acquire legal immigrant status. Joe capitalized on this standing and bought an apartment in the early 1970s with lovely views of the neighborhood and distant volcanoes. Over the years he generously hosted many family visitors to this refuge above the city that served as his primary residence for the rest of his life.

Joe loved to travel and took great pride in his many journeys for work and after his semi-retirement in 1982. He traveled to several countries in Asia, Europe, and North Africa but always held his trips to the Basque Country and Boise in the highest regard. He was very happy visiting relatives in these places, speaking Basque whenever possible and socializing with friends. His trips continued after full retirement in 2001, but Joe also filled his time by reading–his favorite leisure activity–, studying language, and meeting with friends–whom he considered as his Mexican family.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents (Juan and Juana), three sisters (Juanita Hormaechea, Marie Alegria, and Petra Cengotita), and three brothers (Phil, Domingo (Cheezie), and Savino Uberuaga). He is survived by many nieces and nephews who loved their Tio Joe. Memorials may be made in his name to Euzkaldunak Inc. or the Basque Museum and Cultural Center.

(Published in Idaho Statesman on July 31, 2016)