Obituary of Salvador Olagaray

Salvador Olagaray passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 4, 2009, in Lodi at the age of 81, surrounded by his family. He fought a courageous battle against cancer and other ailments the last nineteen months of his life. He was born in the Basque country in Etchalar, Navarra Spain on December 18, 1927, to parents Norberto Olagaray and Asuncion Damboriana. He had four siblings, including brothers Juan, Celedonio and Rafael Olagaray, and sisters Maria and Francisca Olagaray, who were both nuns. Salvador came to the United States in 1951, from Spain at the age of 23. He worked as a sheepherder in Sacramento and at a dairy in Thornton before starting his own sheep ranch and farming alfalfa for 45 years in the Lodi area. After seven years, he returned to Spain to marry Rosa Sanzberro Olagaray on October 22, 1958. He returned to Lodi where he and Rosa started their family, worked side by side on the ranch, and enjoyed 50 years of marriage. He was the father of four sons: John (Connie) Olagaray, Diego (Cyndi), Frank (Lorna), and Joe Olagaray, all of Lodi. He also was a loving grandfather-"Atatxi" to eight grandchildren: Michael, Katie, Robert, Sydney, Dillon, Chase, Miranda and Noemma Olagaray. He never truly retired, as he continued to work with his sons in their farming and ranching ventures until his health no longer permitted. His greatest pride was his family, and he regularly spent time with his sons, their wives and his grandchildren. He also enjoyed traveling back to Spain, traveling in his motor home to see his friends and attend Basque picnics, dancing, accordion music, and playing cards. He was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings. He is survived by his wife, Rosa Olagaray, his children, their spouses and his grandchildren. Friends are invited to visit Sunday, April 12 from 10:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M. and Monday, April 13 from 10:00 A.M. until 8:00 P. M. with recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 P.M. all at Lodi Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said on Tuesday, April 14, 10 a.m. at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Lodi, followed by burial at Cherokee Memorial Park.