Obituary of Inaki Bastarrika

Iñaki Bastarrika, 79, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on August 24, 2013, in his home in Dayton, NJ. Iñaki was born in Ibarra, Basque Country, Spain on July 25, 1934 to Jose Mari Bastarrika and Manoli Areizaga. He is survived by Ruth Noemi Falco, his devoted wife of 42 years, children Gloria and partner Cheryl, Vivian, Amaya and husband Brett, Jose and wife Jill, and 8 adoring grandchildren: Noah, Jonathan, Gabriel, Juliana, Tommy, Kyle, Aidan and Jack. Iñaki is also survived by sisters Gloria and Miren of Tolosa, and brothers Xavier and Modesto of Eibar (Basque Country). Iñaki was predeceased by his brother Xabin. Iñaki enjoyed a remarkable life. His family endured the oppression of the fascist Franco regime and survived the Nazi bombardment of his hometown of Guernica (immortalized by Picasso in his most famous painting). During the latter part of the Spanish Civil War and early part of World War II, the family sought exile in France to escape persecution. As a child he was sent to seminary school as a means to assure his safety, shelter and an education. He was eventually ordained as a Franciscan Friar and traveled to the US, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Catholic University in Washington, DC, and a Master's Degree from Fordham University in NY. Iñaki married Ruth in 1970. They started a family in Puerto Rico and 11 years later, the family moved to North Brunswick, NJ, where they settled for 25 years. Iñaki was Director of Worldwide Management Training and Education for Johnson & Johnson, and retired after 25 years, developing top executives from all over the world including Latin America, Europe, and Asia. An all-around athlete, Iñaki loved to run, laugh, cook, play piano, and sing (cherishing his many years as member of the choir at Our Lady of Peace). He spent his retirement indulging in his passions: endless hours in the garden, reading, walking, and dreaming and reminiscing about his beloved Euskadi. He was a man of deep spirituality and enduring faith. An angel on earth, he had the innocence of a child. He was, and forever will be, our moral compass. Agur Iñaki. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 27, 2013 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm, at the M. David DeMarco Funeral Home, 205 Rhode Hall Rd, Monroe Township, NJ 08831. Funeral services will begin on Wednesday August 28, 2013 from the funeral home at 9:00am and will continue with a funeral liturgy at 10:00am at Our Lady of Peace Church, 277 Washington Place, North Brunswick, NJ 08902. Committal services and cremation will follow at Franklin Memorial Park in North Brunswick. The family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.