1939an Uztaritzen (Lapurdi) sortua, 1961an etorri zen Estatu Batuetara bere anaiaren pausoen atzetik. 1967an ezkondu zen Euskal Herrian bere etxe ondoko Marie Claire-rekin eta Kalifornian sortu zuten familia, bost seme-alaben guraso bilakatuz, bostak euskaradun atxikiak. Chinoko Euskal Etxeko musutrukeko langile, ekonomikoki zein ordu askotako lanarekin lagundu izan du etengabe kluba. Askotan eskaini izan diote presidente izatea, baina errefuxatu izan du agerizko buruzagitzetan ibiltzea. Berari aplikatzen ahal zaio “hitzez labur, ekitez ugari” dioen euskal esaera zaharra. Beti euskaltzaletasunean engaiatua.

Isidore was born in 1939 in the town of Isturiz in the Basque Country.  In 1961 he came to America following his brother to southern California .  Six years later he wed his sweetheart from across the river in the Basque Country, Marie Claire.  Together they raised five children:  Francois, Alain, Patrick, Dominique and Louise.  Living in Riverside , together in 1976 they went to work in the motel business.  That same year he became an active member of the Chino Basque Club and went to work at the annual club picnic in the barbecue—he has been cooking for the club ever since!

He works every month at club fundraisers preparing the meal.  This is praise worthy in and of itself, but his contribution extends beyond that.  When the Chino club pondered renovating its building a decade ago, the obstacle was where to get the necessary funding to start the project.  Isidore’s family helped to secure the financing and then he worked to pay back the loan.  Some work for the club and others contribute financially:  he did both at a high level clearly demonstrating his genuine conviction to see the Basque club prosper.

He remains committed to the club and Basque community.  Repeatedly nominated as president, Isidore continues to politely refuse because he doesn't want the limelight.  A man of few words, but he puts his work--and money--where his heart is:  the promotion of our Basque heritage.  Isidore is a man worthy of emulation and recognition.

Bert Aphessetche--Chino Basque Club builder & ongoing Worker.

1936an jaio zen Uharte-Garazin (Baxenabarre). Hogei urterekin etorri zen Kaliforniara eta Chinon lan egin eta sortu zuen familia. Berari eta bere inguruan mugiarazi zuen jende taldeari zor zaie gaur egun Chinoko Euskal Etxeak daukan egoitzaren eraikin ederra. Duela hamabost urte, berak erosi zuen lurra eta eraikile fisiko ere izan zen. Euskal Etxearen aldeko hamaika ekintzetan ibilia, haren partaide eta sostengatzaile nekaezina izan da beti, zeregin guztietan lan eginez, bulego zein hamaika esku-lanetan, behar izan den aldi guztietan bere patrikako sosak ere eskuzabalki ipiniz. “Chino Basque Club”eko lehendakariorde da gaur egun.

Bert was born in 1936 in the town of Uharte-Cize in the Basque Country.  Twenty years later he make the long journey here to America and he has been in the Chino area ever since.  In 1965 he met his wife Danielle, and together they raised three kids:  Sophie, Mike and Chris.  Then ten years later he became an active member of the Chino Basque Club. 

There are over thirty Basque clubs/organizations in the US, and only seven of the clubs have their own facility.  With a membership under 100 at the time fifteen years ago, the Chino Basque Club took on the daunting task of building a clubhouse.  Bert was one of the key instigators of this project and thanks in large part to his persistence, the Chino area Basques have a house to call their own.  He oversaw fundraising as well as construction, and when necessary he too helped to purchase the land and held it while the club worked to get this together. 

On the road to paying off the building, for many years Bert could be found cleaning the pots and pans after the monthly fundraisers—outside, bent over with a garden hose before the club added a kitchen.  He has served as president and is currently the vice-president of the club.  Speaking to his ongoing service, he is there at every club event working at the BBQ.  He keeps at it because he wants to see the Basque heritage preserved.  He is bright, generous and gregarious person that is a credit to our larger Basque community.

1992

Henry Bachoc (bio/photo coming)

Marianna Etcheverria (bio/photo coming)