Oracio Iglesias

Oracio (Rash) Isaac Iglesias, 93, of Boise, Idaho, passed away on Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, from natural causes. He was surrounded by his wife and children.

Rash was born on Aug. 26, 1920, in Mountain Home, Idaho, to Basque immigrant parents, Rufina Nachiondo from Ispaster, Spain, and Saturnino Aguirre Iglesias from Ea, Spain. One of four children, Rash grew up in Mountain Home, spending his childhood tending cows, herding sheep, helping in the Basque Hotel and learning English. He attended grade school and high school in Mountain Home.

After Pearl Harbor was bombed on Dec. 7, 1941, Rash had a deep desire to enter the service. In 1943, he shipped out of New York Harbor. After 15 foggy, tense days of trying to avoid submarine attacks, he arrived in Northern Ireland. From June 1943 to December 1945, Rash was assigned to many different companies stationed throughout France, England, Scotland and Germany. His troop endured many heavy bombings as they supported their comrades by repairing and assisting with communications equipment on B-17s, B2-4s, and some P-51s and P-38s.

After returning from military service, Rash worked at Garrett Freight Lines and Henagar Business College. This allowed him to pay for college and send money home to his mother and sister. He attended the University of Idaho and graduated in 1949 with a B.S. in Business Administration and Accounting.

Soon after, Rash found work in Boise, Idaho, with the Bureau of Reclamation, where he worked for 36 years before retiring as a division chief in 1985.

Rash was thrilled to be in Boise as it allowed him to become involved in the Basque community. He felt as though he had come home again.

He remained involved with the Basque Center and Basque community his entire life. He was part of the initial group formed to build the Basque Center and served as the main fund collector for this successful venture. He would later serve as secretary, treasurer and membership chair for the Basque Center. He served on various committees, supported the Oinkari dancers and worked at several Jaialdi celebrations. He belonged to the Basque Center and the Basque Museum and Cultural Center.

Several of his grandchildren attended the Basque Ikastola.

Rash was very proud of his Basque heritage and wanted future generations to have the opportunity to celebrate the culture.

Rash met the love of his life, Mary Ellen Smith, after a day of fishing with his buddies in Idaho City. They married in 1960 and their six children kept Rash very busy. He was the number one fan of each child and never missed a sporting event.

Rash always pushed his children to be physically active and to be fierce competitors both on and off the fields and courts.

He was a very religious man and going to church and putting God first was an understood belief in the home.

Rash also believed strongly in a solid education. He worked and saved hard to put his children through the Catholic school system in Boise and sent all of them to college. Rash was a life-long learner and continued to take college-level courses well into retirement.

Rash enjoyed fishing, playing golf and keeping physically fit in his retirement.

His family and grandchildren filled his days with numerous activities.

Throughout his life, Rash was involved in numerous activities and organizations. He was an active member of St. John's Cathedral. He was an enthusiastic supporter of both St. Joseph's Catholic School and Bishop Kelly Catholic High School. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and spent countless hours helping with the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Boise.

Rash was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Esther, and his son, Bill.

He is survived by his brother, Rudolph Iglesias, his sister, Raquel Allen, and his cousins, Carmen Dobaran and Simone Achabal.

He also is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary, his children, Benita Putzier (Fred), Maria Heffner (Tom), Tina Skinner (Jon), Angie Howard (Scott), and Joe Iglesias (Teresa), his grandchildren, Joby Iglesias, Jared Iglesias, Josh Iglesias, Zach and Kate Putzier, Kiley, Halle and Matthew Heffner, Andy, Tim and Jack Skinner, Maia, Natalia, Isana, and Amelina Howard, and Dominic and Gabi Iglesias.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to all of Rash's caregivers, specifically to Linda Trusnovec, who guided Dad through his final days and hours, as well as the staff at St. Luke's Hospice, especially to Wando Jo, for all the love and care given to Dad over the last three years.

A viewing will be held from 6-7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16, at St. John's Cathedral, 775 N. 8th St. Boise, ID, prior to the rosary service. The rosary service will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16, at St. John's Cathedral.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at John's Cathedral.

Burial services will take place at Morris Hill Cemetery immediately following mass.

Memorial contributions in Rash's honor can be made to Euzkaldunak-The Basque Center, The Basque Museum and Cultural Center or any of the organizations mentioned above.

To share memories with the family please visit Rash's memorial webpage at www.cloverdalefuneralhome.com.

"Agur Aita, maite zaituztegu, Jainkuakin."