JUAN JOSE ZULAICA

1945 - 2013

Juan Jose Zulaica, 67, of Meridian, Idaho, passed away on Feb. 18, 2013, at a local hospital. Juan fought a long battle with colon cancer and is now finally at peace in Heaven.

Juan was born to Simon Zulaika Bergaretxe and Flora Ciaran Zubiaurre on June 9, 1945, in Mendaro, Guipuzkoa, Spain. When he was 23 years old, he immigrated to California to herd sheep. After sheepherding, he moved to Idaho and a logging accident left him paralyzed when he was young. Since he was bright and hard working, he had a successful career at HP that spanned over 20 years. While at HP, he met his companion of 25 years, Linda Harris.

Juan was very active in the Basque community and he accompanied Jimmy Jausoro with his "pandero" and played beautiful music for the Oinkari Basque Dancers for many years. He enjoyed playing a Basque card game, Mus, with his friends, music and good Basque food.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Jose-Mari, Julian and Manuel. He is survived by his two sisters, Bittori and Lourdes, and numerous nieces and nephews (Sorkunde, Carlos, Ainhoa, Joseba, Arantxa, Nerea, Jabi, Jon, Sonia, Unai and Inma), all of whom reside in Spain. He is also survived by Linda Harris and her son, Tim, his god-daughter, Isabela Lete, his close friends, Elias & Rose Lete and family and Pete Barinaga and family. He always said the Letes and Barinagas were his family in America. Juan was a kind and generous man, and he will be missed by his family and friends.

Juans family and friends would like to extend our gratitude to Dr. Stephanie Hodson and Dr. Steven Casos and the staff at St. Alphonsus for their loving care and compassion.

Services for Juan will be held at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 6300 N. Meridian Rd. There will be a rosary on Sunday, February 24, at 7:30 pm. The Memorial Mass and Services will be held on Monday, February 25, at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetary in Nampa. Services are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Euzkaldunak Basque Center in Boise, The Basque Museum and Cultural Center, or Txoko Ona Basque Center in Homedale.

Service Information Recitation of the Rosary Sunday February 24, 2013 7:30 PM Holy Apostles Catholic Church 6300 N. Meridian Road Meridian, Idaho 83646 Mass of Christian Burial Monday February 25, 2013 11:00 AM Holy Apostles Catholic Church 6300 N. Meridian Road Meridian, Idaho 83646