Pete Joaquin Aguilar

Pete Joaquin Aguilar, 83, of Livingston, Montana passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 29th, 2018 at his home with family at his side. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 11th, at St. Marys Catholic Church, 39 View Vista Dr., Livingston. Graveside committal and burial will be at the Calvary Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial at the St. Marys School gymnasium.Born Pedro Joaquin Aguilar, May 3, 1935 in Managua, Nicaragua, the third of three children. He grew up in Siuna, Nicaragua, a gold mining town in the jungle. He received his education in Siuna until age 14, he then attended Catholic Boarding Schools in Granada and Bluefields, graduating in 1956. In 1957 he and his parents emigrated to the U.S., starting out in Jackson, Montana, where his cousin, Helena Strodtman, owned a ranch. In 1959 he came to Livingston, where he worked at various jobs. In 1962 he began working for the Northern Pacific Railroad and retired after 35 years from the Burlington Northern in 1997.He married Joy Brothers in 1959. To this union were born four children; Toni Marie, Tracie Lynn, Peter Joseph, Leonard "Joaquin". They later divorced. In 1989 he married Virginia "Ginny" Haraldson. To this union was born a daughter, Jordan Leigh.Pete started coaching baseball and softball soon after coming to Livingston. He coached many teams over the years including Babe Ruth, American Legion, girls softball, womens softball, he coached continually for 50 years. He concluded his coaching career with coaching his daughters Jordans softball teams. He also played baseball and softball for many years in Livingston. While still in Nicaragua, Pete was supposed to try out for the Brooklyn Dodgers, but became ill right before he was supposed to fly to New York and was prevented by the Nicaraguan Government from leaving his country. That was Petes shot at the majors!In 1975 he became a citizen of the U.S. and legally changed his name to Pete. Pete enjoyed playing racquet ball and won many tournaments. In 1996, he was state champion in his age division. Pete also enjoyed reading, playing chess, taking long drives in the country, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers. Petes true passion was hunting and fishing. He loved being in the mountains pursuing whatever was in season. In his 55 years of hunting elk he was "skunked" only a hand-full of times and many a fish ended up in the frying pan.Pete is survived by his wife of 29 years, Ginny of Livingston, MT; three daughters, Toni (Rod) Lund of Lewistown, MT, Tracie Aguilar of Lakeside, MT, Jordan Aguilar of Livingston, MT; two sons, Pete (Ginger) Aguilar of Tendoy, ID, Joaquin Aguilar of Belgrade, MT; three stepchildren, Erica Westling of Missoula, MT, Danielle Haraldson of Bozeman, MT, Alden Haraldson of Livingston, MT; sisters, Delia (Raymond) Daley and Emma Padilla, both of Los Angeles, CA, ten grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins and many, many friends.He was preceded in death by his parents, Pedro and Hercilia Aguilar; nephew, Mike Daley; brother-in-law, Julio Padilla.Memorial are preferred to the Salesian Missions: 2 Lefevre Lane; New Rochelle, NY 10801 or the St. Marys Catholic School: 511 S F St; Livingston, MT 59047.