Local prominent businessman John Ascuaga has passed away. He was 96.
Sparks Mayor Lawson mentioned Ascuaga's death at the beginning of Monday's Sparks City Council meeting.
We reached out to the family and the Nugget Casino for comment.
Dick Graves opened The Sparks Nugget on March 17, 1955 as a 60-seat coffee shop with a handful of slot machines.
Ascuaga, then general manager, purchased the Sparks Nugget in 1960 for $3.775 million on a handshake.
Under John and two of his children, Michonne and Stephen's, leadership, the Nugget grew into one of the largest Northern Nevada hotel casinos with over 1,600 hotel rooms, 75,000 square feet of casino gaming, 110,000 square feet of convention space.
Ascuaga finally sold the Nugget after after 58 years of running the family-owned business - it eventually sold to Marnell Gaming.
Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson provided the following statement about the passing of John Ascuaga:
"Everyone here at the city of Sparks is saddened to hear of the passing of John Ascuaga. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and the many, many in our community who knew and loved him. I was very privileged to have served with him on the Sparks Rotary Club for several years. To say that Mr. Ascuaga was an integral part of Sparks is an understatement. He was, without a doubt, one of Nevada’s most prominent and successful businessmen who truly helped shape our city. Mr. Ascuaga owned the Nugget Casino in Sparks for more than five decades and championed engaging the community with amazing events. In fact, in the year 2000, the ever-innovative Mr. Ascuaga figured out how to shoot fireworks from the Nugget’s hotel towers. This became the signature Star Spangled Sparks event. We are so thankful this celebration is coming back this year and look forward to honoring Mr. Ascuaga during this great event on July 4th.”
On behalf of Washoe County and the Board of County Commissioners:
"I am saddened to learn of the passing of John Ascuaga, an iconic figure in our community. He was one of the pioneers of the resort and hospitality industry in northern Nevada, turning a small coffee shop into one of the largest resort properties in Reno-Sparks. His vision helped shape the Truckee Meadows into the dynamic destination we call home.
My heart goes out to the Ascuaga family, whom I’m honored to call friends. John was dedicated to public service and was an ardent supporter of higher education for local students. His legacy lives on in his children and grandchildren, and they’re in my thoughts during this difficult time."
-Bob Lucey, chair, Washoe County Board of County Commissioners
On Monday, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak issued the following statement on the passing of prominent Nevada business leader and longtime casino owner John Ascuaga:
“I was very saddened to learn of the passing of John Ascuaga, a man who transformed a small coffee shop in Sparks into a family-run gaming juggernaut of more than 50 years. A son of Basque immigrants, John brought a boundless energy to work every day. He, his wife Rose, and their children were fixtures in both the business and in the Northern Nevada community. John walked the casino floor daily and popped into the restaurants to visit with tourists and employees alike. From scholarships to countless fundraisers to special events, they made sure John Ascuaga’s Nugget was there to help.
“John was a businessman who hired top-name entertainers to perform in the Celebrity Showroom and an innovator who introduced elephants Bertha, Tina and, later, Angel, who performed on stage and participated in parades and festivals around the state. His own love of ranching and the Old West was reflected throughout the resort in his branding iron collection and artwork, such as the character ‘Last Chance Joe,’ and the Nugget’s famous Golden Rooster.
“Always friendly, always smiling, always welcoming, John Ascuaga was the quintessential Nevadan. Kathy and I send our deepest condolences to the Ascuaga family, the City of Sparks and to all those John Ascuaga touched in his amazing 96 years.”
