Sustraiak

Our Basque Roots

Eugenio Gastañaga

Eugenio Gastañaga

Male 1915 - 2011  (95 years)

Personal Information    |    Notes    |    All

  • Name Eugenio Gastañaga 
    Born 07 Mar 1915 
    Gender Male 
    Died 14 Feb 2011 
    Person ID I1996452  OBC Sustraiak
    Last Modified 27 Jul 2015 

    Father Jose Gastañaga Alzola,   b. 22 Jan 1874, Bedarona, Bizkaia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Relationship natural 
    Mother Antonia Alzola Arrien,   b. 13 Jun 1886, Ispaster, Bizkaia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Relationship natural 
    Married 20 Apr 1904  Euskal Herria Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F566269  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family E.C. Crouse 
    Children 
     1. C.A. Gastañaga
     2. M. Gastañaga
     3. L. Gastañaga
    Last Modified 27 Jul 2015 
    Family ID F568491  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Eugene Thomas "Gene" Gastanaga
      ? |???Visit Guest Book

      Eugene Thomas "Gene" Gastanaga

      Eugene Thomas "Gene" Gastanaga, 95, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2011, joining his deceased wife, Ellen, on Valentine's Day. Born to Basque immigrant parents on March 7, 1915, in Paradise Valley, Nevada, Gene attended Paradise Valley Grammar School and later graduated from Humboldt County High School. All during his high school years he worked after school and weekends. He particularly enjoyed working for the local Humboldt Soda Works delivering soda to all the businesses aroround town, particularly across the tracks to the 'girls on the line'. He was often referred to as Barnie Oldfield (famous automobile race car driver from the early 1900's) for his outstanding driving abilities, speeding through town as though he really had somewhere to go.

      After graduation in 1933, he moved to Elko, Nevada, this time working for Elko Bottling Works, delivering soda and beer to the local establishments. He later worked for Elko Motor Supply, where he met Hadley Beadle. In 1934, young Gene moved to Reno, and Hadley hired him on at Reno Motor Supply.

      The next year, 1935, Gene joined the Nevada National Guard. He continued working for Reno Motor Supply until he was called into active duty in 1941. He was initially stationed at Camp Hahn as an enlisted man and, while living in Riverside, California, he went on a blind date with Ellen Carolyn Crouse on February 19, 1942. Five weeks and three days later they were married on March 29, 1942, in Las Vegas, Nevada. His brother and sister-in-law from Reno joined them as witnesses at the wedding chapel, where, after the ceremony, they all celebrated this momentous occasion over cocktails and cigars.

      While stationed at Camp Hahn, Gene advanced from Private to First Sergeant and was then sent to Camp Davis in North Carolina to attend Officer Candidate School. He quickly advanced to Second Lieutenant and was assigned to a battalion in Bay City, Texas, where he and Ellen moved. It was in Bay City on January 28, 1943, they had their first daughter, Carolyn Antonia. Ellen, Gene and baby Carolyn stayed in Bay City until he was shipped off to the Philippines for a 22 month tour of duty.

      Shortly after the war he was thankful to return to Ellen and Carolyn in October, 1945. Gene was then discharged from the Army, remaining on the payroll for an additional five months. He had never taken furlough as an enlisted man or leave as an officer in his entire career. He, Ellen and the baby packed up and spent this glorious time driving around the country visiting relatives and enjoying life.

      After moving to Reno, he joined his brother Martin on January 1, 1946, to help manage Martin's four Eagle Drug Company stores in Reno and Winnemucca.

      Their daughter Mary was born in 1947 and Linda in 1951. It was in 1951 that Eagle Drug Company acquired a large building on Virginia and Sierra Streets establishing the first of many Eagle Thrifty Drugs and Markets. In 1958, shortly after the opening of the Eagle Thrifty on Wells Avenue, Martin passed away unexpectedly and Gene took over the operations of the chain.

      One of Gene's greatest accomplishments was opening the first "Eagle Thrifty Shopping World" on the corner of 7th Street and Keystone Avenue. It was a unique concept to combine groceries, sundries, pharmaceuticals, bakery, slot machines and more under one roof with one check-out. He continued to develop more properties with this concept until selling the chain of supermarkets and one drug store to Tom Raley in 1973, who, until then, had only small drug store operations.

      During the ensuing years, Gene was active in the Reno Host Lions Club, holding the office of President and later District Governor in 1957. He was President of the Reno Chamber of Commerce in 1968 and President of the Reno Basque Club from 1969-1970. He was also a member of the Prospector's Club.

      In the 60's and 70's, he and his partners built and operated the Ponderosa and Onslow Hotels. He was a cofounder and board member of Security Bank and Family Savings and Loan. From the 70's on, he was actively involved as partner and director of the Crystal Bay Club and Tahoe Biltmore in Crystal Bay, Nevada.

      In his business career he was a smart, energetic and tough businessman, always open to suggestions yet dedicated to finding the best solutions and solving the most complex problems. He tirelessly ran his stores, continually on top of the competition and always ready for positive and forward change. However, no matter how busy he was, he always took the time to personally talk with each of his employees on a regular basis.

      He and Ellen travelled the world, sharing experiences with their many wonderful and cherished friends and family, often times inviting them along for the ride. After Ellen's passing in 1990, he immediately moved to their home in Crystal Bay. He spent his golden years fishing, traveling, making new friends and enjoying his growing family.

      Gene was preceded in death by his loving wife of 48 years, Ellen, and daughter Carolyn. He is survived by daughters Mary Tolotti and Linda Gastanaga (Chris Rogers), grandchildren Michelle Macaluso (Carl), Jason Tolotti (Marissa), Christina Seiler (Steve), Carolyn Van Lydegraf, Thomas Gastanaga, Janna Ray Yates, Samantha Yates, and great-grandchildren Justine (fianc? Eric Chaump), Jacob and Jeremy Macaluso, Trevor, Kevin and Travis Tolotti, and Ana and Sage Seiler.

      His gentle ways, his wise advice and great humor will be deeply missed. Goodbye Daddy, Grampa and PaPaPa. We love you.

      Per Gene's request, there will not be a service but a celebration of his life to be announced at a later date.

      Walton's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

      In lieu of flowers, a donation in his wife, Ellen's, memory may be made to Hospice of Northern Nevada at Saint Mary's Foundation, 520 West Sixth Street, Reno, Nevada 89503-4423 or Reno Host Lions Club, PO. Box 2287, Reno, Nevada 89505.

      Published in Reno Gazette-Journal from February 20 to February 22, 2011