Angel Zozaya

Angel Zozaya, age 87, of Grants Pass, died Monday, March 5, 2012 at his home.

A funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 10, 2012 at Hull & Hull Chapel with Pastor Steve Parker officiating. Private interment will be at Granite Hill Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made to either Southern Oregon Aspire (formerly Sparc Enterprises, Inc) 1990 NW Washington Blvd, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526 or Zonta Club of Grants Pass Foundation, PO Box 1615, Grants Pass, Oregon 97528.

Angel was born in Yanci, Spain on July 8, 1924. In his younger years he was an excellent accordion player, in which he won competitions and played for weddings and celebrations. He also competed in bicycle and running races. He became a team leader in the black market during the time that Germany invaded France. While crossing the French/Spanish border with a heavy sack of goods on his back, his speed, drive, and tenacity became key elements in his ability to survive many close calls in life-or-death situations.

After schooling he served in the French army and later married his wife, Louise in France in November 1956. They moved to California to provide a better life for their family. He was a commercial house painter and had his real estate license. In 1979 the family moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, to retire.

Angel was a member of the Accordion Club and Southern Oregon Christian Singles. He also attended the Vitality Center.

His hobbies included playing the accordion, oil painting, and fixing things. He also enjoyed reading, re-writing what he read, and then sharing his writings with others. Over the years, he enjoyed attended the Rooster Crow in Rogue River. He spoke four different languages; he was fluent in Spanish (Castilian), French, Basque and “a little English,” as Angel would say.

Survivors include a daughter, Brigitte Fernandez of Grants Pass, Oregon; two sons, Marc Zozaya of Santa Cruz, California and Jacques Zozaya of Grants Pass, Oregon; a brother, Jean Baptiste Zozaya of France; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Zozaya, in 1993.