euskalkultura.eus

2015/09/30 - Elko, Nevada, AEB

Nicolas Fagoaga Elkoko lesakarra, laguna, langilea, artzain etorria 1951ean, denborarekin hemen laketu eta familia sortu eta hazi zuena, beti euskaldun eta euskaldunei laguntzen, klubari, erreferentzia izanik Elkoko eta Nevadako euskal munduan... Elkon hil da 2015eko irailaren 30ean. 1926ko urriaren 16an sortua, 89 urte bete behar zituen aste gutiren buruan. Artzain hasi baina trebea zen harotz gisa eta egurreko lanetan eta asko maite zuen taila, eta kutxak eta lan ederrak utzi dizkigu. Lan aldetik, Fagoaga Construction enpresa abitu zuen eta hor aritu zen lanean erretiratu arte. Etxe eta eraikuntza asko eraiki zituen, baina seguruenik berezienetako bi Elkoko Euskal Etxearen egoitza eta Elkoko Udal Parkean dagoen euskal pilota kantxa izan ziren.

Hona Elko Daily egunkariak  berari buruz argitara emaniko oroitzapen-oharra:

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

(Elko Dailyk 2015eko urriaren 6an agitara emana)