Obituaries

Agustín de Miguel went home to God peacefully on February 25, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was 88 years old. Agustín is survived by his wife, Gloria; his children: Pamela (Leo) Mendoza; Richard (Griselda) de Miguel; his grandchildren: Gabriel (Jayden), Alyssa, Eric, Briana, and Roman. He is also survived by his sister, Vicenta de Miguel; many brothers in-law, sisters in-law, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ricardo and Antonia de Miguel, his brother, Pedro; and his sisters, Teodora and Agueda.

Agustín was born on May 5, 1935 in Uztárroz, Navarra, Spain. He was the 4th of 5 children and was raised during the Spanish Civil War. He also served in the Spanish army. After his two years of service, he returned to his village where he worked in the mountains cutting trees, hunting wild boar and herding sheep.

Seeking a better life, he and his cousin Nicolás Pérez immigrated to the United States in 1966. For four years they tended thousands of sheep crossing between Nevada and Idaho. During this time, they met Walter McCloud on his hunting venture who also happened to be the Chief of Police in Pleasanton, CA. Through their developed friendship, Walter encouraged the cousins to pursue opportunities in construction in the Bay Area. Shortly thereafter, Agustín began attending night school to learn English where he met his future wife, Gloria Rodas. They were married in St. Augustine Catholic Church in Pleasanton and later settled in Union City, CA. On March 18, 2024 they would have celebrated 52 years of marriage.

Agustín was a proud union painter and had recently received a certification from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 3 for being a 50-year member in good standing. He was also a notable member of the Unión Española de California in San Francisco. In the 1980’s, Agustín was part of the volunteer construction crew who helped transform the warehouse building into the Spanish club that stands today. Additional interests include: cooking, reading, traveling, playing Mus (Basque card game), planting/tending to his vegetable garden, watching Golden State Warriors basketball, SF 49ers football, and La Liga Spanish soccer.

He was a man who valued honesty, loyalty, hard work, education, family, and friendships. He left an impact on every person he met; he did well to listen to others and give his ideas and opinions. Most importantly, he will be remembered by his children and grandchildren who never had to question whether he loved them or was proud of them because he made that so obvious. His greatest joy in life was when he was surrounded by his loved ones. He will be missed dearly.