euskalkultura.eus

06/05/2023 - Pacifica, California, USA

Following a lengthy battle with ALS, Chris passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2023.

His indomitable spirit, for which we called him Braveheart, allowed him to persist in the face of his many struggles with courage, strength, resilience and above all grace. A gentle man with an abundance of patience and love, he will be forever missed by his cherished wife of 32 years, Áine, who was his pillar of strength throughout. He leaves behind his siblings Daniel (Michelle) Ourtiague, Evelyne Ourtiague Young (Edgar) and Diane Arduain (Patrick), mother-in-law Rosemarie Lundy, brothers-in-law Kevin Lundy (Alice), Brian Lundy (Angelina), Aidan Lundy (Hilary) and many nieces and nephews.

Chris had a wide and varied group of friends – from his early days at St. Gabriel's Grammar School and the Basque community both here and in France, to the Irish community he found through his wife Áine to his incredibly supportive American Airlines family. With a zest for life, beautiful smile and a twinkle in his eye you couldn't help but be drawn into his orbit. His sense of humor and his joy in interacting with his family and friends continued until the end, even when Chris lost the ability to speak. Chris was predeceased by his parents, Pierre and Denise Ourtiague, his brother Eric and his father-in-law Eamon Lundy.

Chris was a proud member of the Basque Cultural Center and an avid sportsman and duck hunter. He loved nothing more than sitting in a freezing cold duck blind all day long!

Chris will be remembered for all the heart he shared with his family and friends. He truly loved each of them and if you knew him, you knew it. When his time came, he left this world as he lived, a sweet, gentle soul with a loving heart. His legacy will carry on forever reminding us that we control our attitudes.

Services will be held at St. Gabriel's Church in San Francisco, 2559 40th Avenue, San Francisco on Thursday June 8, 2023. Viewing begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by Funeral Mass at noon. Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Chris Ourtiague's Braveheart Classic.

(published by San Francisco Chronicle, Legacy.com on Jun. 6, 2023)

Goian Bego (GB) - May Rest in Peace