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16/12/2023 - Merritt, BC, Canadá

Juan Maritorena, natural de Amaiur en Baztan, Navarra ha fallecido en Merritt, British Columbia, Canadá a los 86 años de edad. Era uno de los miembros fundadores del Centro Vasco Zazpiak Bat de British Columbia. GB

Juan Maritorena, born in Amaiur Baztan, was the youngest of 10 sibilings. He lived his early years working on the family farm, Santxonekoborda.

He served his compulsory time for the Spanish army in Africa where he was a cook, he then joined, in 1962, his brothers in British Columbia, Canada to work for the family company, Nadina Logging, where he eventually made his carreer driving truck for 35 years. He shared many mamories and spoke fondly of friends he made along the way.

In 1973 he married his wife Diane, with whom he shared three children an raised them in Merritt, BC (Lisa Michelle, Lisa Diane, and Jose).

In his later years he enjoyed fishing, meeting up with friends for their daily A&W coffee, being one of the head cooks at family gatherings, and of course weekly Friday night Mus with the family at his nephew Francisco Fidel (Frank) Etchart's.

He was a typical Basque and never truly retired, even at the age of 86 he spent his free time working with his nephew Jose Miguel (Mike) Etchart, installing wood stoves and cleaning chimneys for Mike's company (Copper Valley Masonry). You could also be sure he would be the first to show up to cook for any pancake breakfast the Knights of Columbus or Zazpiak Bat Basque Club Society put on.

Juan loved his family fiercely and made sure they knew. He was a man of integrity, patience and strong in his faith. Juan was predeceased by his wife Diane and is survived by his children Lisa Michelle (Jim) Roe, Lisa Diane (Morgan) Chenier, and Jose Maritorena. He will be dearly missed, his loss is felt throught generations by his children, grandchildren, great grandchild, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family would like to thank the staff at Kelowna General Hospital, granddaughter Melissa Roe and great-niece Julia Christy for their care of Juan.

A funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Merritt, BC on April 20th at 10 am.

Goian Bego - May Rest in Peace