euskalkultura.eus

11/28/2021 - Lacey, Washington, USA

Antonio, 91, entered eternal life on November 28, 2021 after a sudden illness. He was born in Maya, Navarra, Spain on March 2, 1930 to Tomasa Yribarren and Juan Bessonart. Antonio was the fifth child born into a family of six siblings. As a young adult, he yearned for the American dream of opportunity and came to the United States (Bakersfield, CA) to work for his aunt and uncle in 1956, following his brother, Dionisio. He worked for them as a sheep herder, worked different jobs for them and others, eventually running his own business as a gardener, from which he retired. He always worked extremely hard; during many of those working years, he didnt even have a day off.

He used to visit his homeland, the Basque country throughout the years and eventually met his wife, Maria Pepita and they married on May 24, 1971 in Urdax, Navarra, Spain. They built a beautiful life together in Bakersfield, eventually bringing their daughter, Jennifer into this world in 1976. Because of their strong work ethic and love, she was setup for success in her life and always knew her parents were there for her. To be closer to his daughter and family, he and Pepita moved to Washington state in 2015. They were married 50 years until her passing this year on July 7th.

Before his move to Washington, he enjoyed going to the various Basque restaurants and the Basque Club over the years. He moved in with Jennifer and her family this last year and they are going to miss his cute, funny Aitatxi sayings and the sweet, generous spirit that he brought to their house and all those he met. Every day, he woke up appreciative of the new day flashing that smile that will always be missed.

Antonio was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and all of his five siblings: Vidal (wife Jeanne), Jose, Louisette (husband Henri), Dionisio (wife Julie), and Michel. He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Brock McCall and grandkids, Amaya and Sawyer. He also leaves behind sisters-in-law, Mayie and Irene Bessonart, Maritxu and Maria Luisa Mugica, Lupita Massonde, brother-in-law, Pello Tomasena, and numerous nieces and nephews and their extended families still residing in the U.S., Spain and France.

Funeral will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Lacey, WA on December 17, 2021. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a donation, please make it to the charity of your choice.

(published by Bakersfield Californian, Legacy.com on Dec. 12, 2021)