Edward Manuel Bastida

Edward Manuel Bastida

Edward Manuel Bastida, 95, of Mountain Home, passed away on May 30, 2011.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Monday, June 6, at Mountain View Cemetery in Mountain Home. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home.

Ed was born in Elko, Nev., to Manuel and Theresa (Bilboa) Bastida on Dec. 30, 1915. He was the third child of five siblings. As a youngster his folks started a homestead in Gold Creek, Nev., which they later sold.

While times were tough, one of his many fond memories included traveling in a covered wagon throughout northeastern Nevada. He attended his first year of school in North Fork, Nev., and graduated from high school in Battle Mountain, Nev.

In addition to working on several ranches and herding sheep, his folks finally settled in Mountain City, Nev., where they established a store.

Later, he started his first auto repair in Mountain City, along with his brother-in-law, Elbert Phillipi.

Ed married Della Vega and they had four children. They later divorced.

In 1943, the family moved to Mountain Home and he worked at the base during the war. Shortly after the war, Ed started his own auto and towing business.

He remained in business for over 50 years.

In 1958, Ed married Barbara Montrose.

Dad was a man of high standards, complete integrity, and boundless enthusiasm for whatever task he took in hand. No one, whose privilege it was to really know him, is likely to forget the candor of his speech, the courage of his faith, the warmth and glowing brightness of his friendship.

He never dodged a responsibility, never refused to take on a hard job if it needed to be done. What he preached, he practiced. What he believed, he believed with heart and soul. He fought hard for every cause in which he enlisted, and the causes for which he fought were good and right.

Ed was a charter member of the Mountain Home Basque Association, Euskal Lagunak, and a long-time member of the Mountain Home Elks. He was a volunteer fireman for many years and was on the traffic control commission.

He was a lifetime member of the Mountain Home Senior Center, assisting them for many years doing volunteer work.

In 1974, Ed was selected to be the Grand Marshal of the Mountain Home Air Force Appreciation Day Parade, an honor he never forgot.

Ed is survived by three sons, Larry and his wife, Nancy, of Boise, Joe and his wife, Joyce, of Boise, and John of Upland, Calif., a daughter, Sharon and her husband, Larry Petrovic, of Elgin, Ill., several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a dear friend, Patsy Micheau.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Barbara, his parents, two brothers, Joe and Pete, and his two sisters, Rosa and Lucy.

The family would like to especially thank the staff at Journey's Hospice, along with the staff and management at Spring Creek Assisted Living. The never-ending understanding, compassion and kindness that was provided for Dad will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Mountain Home Basque Association, P.O. Box 88, Mountain Home, ID 83647, or the Northeastern Nevada Museum, 1515 Idaho St., Elko, NV 89801, or your favorite charity.