On April 10, 1915 in the picturesque town of St. Jean-le-Vieux in France, Frank Jean Maitia was born. There and in the village of Ascarat he grew up until the age of 17. It was then that he decided to follow his two brothers JB & Raymond to the United States.
Frank Maitia came to Kern County from the Basque Country in the year 1929. He worked for the next 11 years for Michel Etcheverry, Jose Anztia and Clemente Galainena. He then moved to Bakersfield and worked at the Amestoy Hotel, where he was surrounded by his Basque Culture, his language, his dance and his people. It was then that he, along with four others decided to keep their tradition going strong and in 1944 Frank helped to co-found the Basque Club.

Frank served as Vice President of the Basque Club for the first two years alongside John Ansolabehere who was President and Felix Etcheverry who served as Secretary-Treasurer. in the years that followed, he remained busy being an active member of the Basque Club at the same time he also achieved some other personal dreams, marrying Louise Amestoy and then opened his own restaurant The Basque Cafe 1946. His life remained full with his wife, his son Frank Jr., the restaurant, his fishing, hunting and his many activities with the Basque Club. To date he has served on the Board of Directors for 12 years and approximately the past 15 years he has been a flag carrier for the Basque Club Klika. Today Frank still enjoys his good health, his restaurant and his family. He is looking forward to a trip back to his home town in France.

Read a dedication to him.

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See photos from Frank's 90th birthday party