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2024/01/12 - Meridian, Idaho, AEB

(Cloverdale Funeral Homen argitaratua)

Henry “Hank” Achurra, 89, passed away due to natural causes at his home in Meridian, Idaho on January 12 th , 2024.

Hank was born on June 10 th , 1934, to Santiago Achurra and Raimunda Echevarria Achurra, in Boise, Idaho.

Hank grew up as part of a family that was a Charter Member of Euzkaldunak, Inc. Along with his parents, and sister Gloria,

Hank helped farm and milked cows at their farm on Gary Lane. Over the years, Hank mentioned, from time to time, that he and his friends would often stay out all night driving, or racing their cars and having lots of fun, but that when he arrived back at the farm at sunup, he would have to get straight to work, milking cows. Hank went on to demonstrate an extraordinary work ethic throughout his entire life, first working as an employee of Pitman Oil, then as a partner with Ray Pitman. Once Pitman Oil was sold to Baird Oil, he was a tanker driver for Claude and Dennis Baird. Hank was an extremely responsible and hard-working driver for Baird Oil, and he drove for the Bairds until he reached 83 years of age, when he very reluctantly retired.

But neither Hank, nor his wife Gerri, ever retired from helping their daughters and their husbands work on their homes, their gardens, their properties, and in so many other ways, or from providing literally countless hours of service to Euzkaldunak - the Boise Basque Club, Jaialdi - the International Basque celebration, or assisting their Church, Holy Apostles in Meridian.

Hank, like Gerri, was seemingly inexhaustible when it came to his work, helping his family, his church, the Basque Club, and the Oinkari’s. His penchant for hard, physical work, as well as his keen and ethical mindset, was typical of what the best Basques of his generation had to offer, whether born here or in the Basque Country. Hank was the epitome of a man whose actions spoke louder than his words, but even his word was gold.

In accordance with the Basque community’s high standards in its new, adopted home, the United States of America, while at Boise High School Hank enrolled in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps on 2 September 1949 until 20 May 1952 at which time he received his Military Training Certificate, Reserve Officers Training Corps, and was designated Private First Class in the Organized Reserves. On 16 May 1953, Hank was Honorably Discharged from the Air National Guard of Idaho and The Reserve of The
United States Air Force. After Hank’s marriage to Gerri Candaux in May 1954, three daughters were born to the couple, Tammy, Linda, and Lisa. All three girls were members of the Oinkari Basque Dancers until they married and retired from the Dancers. Tammy’s (and Jesus Alcelay’s) oldest son, Xanti, following in his mother’s footsteps, joined the Oinkari Basque Dancers and went on to become a highly accomplished member of the group.

Throughout his life, Hank continued to be involved in the Basque Center, serving on and organizing many committees for various annual events such as the San Inazio Summer Picnic, the annual Sheepherders’ Ball in December that raised money for people in need throughout the Boise Community, and many sporting events. From 1975 through 1977, Hank served as a Director of the Basque Center and oversaw painting the Dance Hall portion of the Euzkaldunak Club building to bring it up to date. Hank returned as a Director for Euzkaldunak in the years 1987, 1988, 1989 and again in 1990. He also served a one year term as President. His father, Santiago, also served as President. Hank represented Euzkaldunak as a North American Basque Organization Delegate for 13 years, providing his valuable time and sincere effort to attend three meetings a year throughout California, Nevada, Utah, and Idaho.

Hank also served as a Co-Chairman of “Basque Week” at Expo ’74 in Spokane, Washington; a Co-Chairman of several Basque Music Camps hosted by Euzkaldunak for NABO children. In 1985 Hank and Gerri served as chaperones to the Oinkari’s on their month-long tour of Euzkadi in Spain and France, as well as chaperoning a trip to Argentina plus many others.

Beginning in 1974, Hank assisted the Oinkari’s with the set-up and operation of their annual fund-raising Chorizo booths at the Western Idaho Fair for many years, and beginning in 1990, he assisted the Oinkari’s with their booths at the Boise River Festival and Art-in-The Park events as well.

Hank was one of the original six people that came up with the idea of an International Basque Festival in Boise and served as a Director for the Jaialdi ’87, ’90, and ’95 events. He continued to assist with the Jaialdi events, including serving as a Committee Chairman for Jaialdi 2000.

Hank enjoyed his seven grandchildren, too many cats to mention that he shoveled paths for in the backyard when it snowed, golfing, Mus-the Basque card game, the wonderful monthly dinners at the Basque Center, BSU football and basketball, gardening, watching Sprint Boat races, snowmobiling, helping his children and their spouses wherever and whenever necessary and shipping fat lambs from the Guerry corrals on Elk Mountain, among many other things. More than anything, he enjoyed quality
time with his family.

Hank was an outstanding and steady handed Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle and Father-in-law. The world is a lesser place without him. He will be truly missed but his example and his legacy will live on for decades to come in the many lives he impacted.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Gerri; his daughters Linda Achurra and her daughter Dusty (Joel) Barnowski (son Daxton); and Lisa (Mark) Achurra Guerry and their children Sophia, Mateo (daughter Yoselyn), and Grace; grandsons Xanti Alcelay (daughter Alaia), Aitor Alcelay (son Maddox) and
Andrew Cerini. He was preceded in death by his daughter Tammy Achurra, his parents Santiago and Raimunda Achurra, his sister Gloria Navarro and her husband John, his cousin Alice Olson and her husband Jack, his cousin Albert Erquiaga, and his nephew Jake Taylor.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for the extraordinary care provided by Dr. John Gamboa of Summit Cancer Center; and Dr. Sri Harsha Tella, Dr. Neil Majithia, Ryan Partin, PA, and the numerous nurses at the St. Luke’s Cancer Center in Meridian.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Cloverdale Funeral Home. Services will be held January 29 at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 6300 N. Meridian Rd, Meridian. The Rosary will be held at 10 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. A graveside service will follow at Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise. A lunch reception will then follow at the Basque Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Boise Basque Center, 601 W. Grove, Boise, ID 83702; Boise Basque Museum and Cultural Center, 611 W. Grove, Boise, ID 83702; or Oinkari Basque Dancers, P.O. Box 1011, Boise, ID 83701.

GOIAN BEGO