Pierre Hegoas

PIERRE LAURENT HEGOAS
JULY 31, 1927 - DEC 9, 2012
Pierre Laurent Hegoas, age 85, was born on July 31, 1927, and grew up in the Pyrenees Mountains in the Basque Country of France in the small village of Arbonne. Following an extended illness, Pierre passed away at home on Sunday, December 9th with his family by his side. He was preceded in death by his wife Trudy, his father Jean Baptiste, his mother Veronique, and his brothers Rene and Jean.
He is survived by his three children, Susie Agostini (Mac), Dennis Hegoas (Tanya), Mitch Hegoas, and two grandchildren, Katie Delyon (Nic), Brandon Hegoas, brother-in-law Roland Enz (Mary), sisters-in-law Marguerite Hegoas of Hendaye, France, and Kathy Waeny. He is also survived by his "amour" Linda Kehoe who has been his constant and loving companion for 12 years.
Pierre grew up in the Basque country near Biarritz, France. As a young boy, Pierre apprenticed as a butcher and a baker. During World War II, his village was occupied by the Nazis, and a German soldier lived in their house until the war ended. He served in the French Army and, because of the occupation, was forced to drive a truck for the Nazis.
At the end of World War II, Pierre was sent to America by his mother to join two brothers who had left France in 1947. Not knowing a word of English, penniless, and owing a relative for his airfare, he landed in Los Angeles. He began to work for Blue Star Farms where a brother was working and there he met his future wife, Trudy. They conversed using a small English/French dictionary. He attended night school, learned English, became a U.S. citizen, married Trudy and had three children.
In 1957, the dairy in Downey, California, was sold and the entire family moved to Oakdale. In 1965, he began Pierre Hegoas and Sons Livestock Hauling.
His family, Linda, and pets were the most important things in his life. He was proud of his Basque heritage, but was probably even prouder that he was an American citizen. He was a member of the Los Banos Basque Club and enjoyed visiting with fellow Basque friends, drinking, eating, playing handball, and playing mus, a Basque card game. Until he was physically unable, he loved to fish and travel with his friend (amour) Linda.
The family thanks Anna Mae Tilma, Hospice and Jim Vermeulen, for their care and support.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, December 17th, at 11 a.m. at the Oakdale Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 South Second, Oakdale, California.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be sent to the Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356
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