Jack Bicandi

Jack Bicandi 1948 ~ 2011 Jack Bicandi, 62, died in Boise on Sunday, May 1, 2011. The second of four sons, Jack was born on August 14, 1948, in Nampa, to Nina Mae Hale and John Bicandi. Jack grew up with his older brother Gary and younger brothers Jimmy and Pat on the family ranch in Marsing. Jack attended school in Marsing, and graduated from Marsing High in 1966. As a Husky, Jack was a varsity football and baseball player and a state wrestling champion. Jack spent many summers in McCall, Idaho, where he enjoyed snow skiing, water skiing and generally creating havoc with his brothers, Gary and Pat. He attended Boise State on a wrestling scholarship and also played football for a year. He was a life-long Bronco fan and liked to think he was one of the early pioneers of the current Bronco craze. With several Basque cousins and friends from Marsing, Adrian and Homedale, Jack joined the Oinkari Basque Dancers in the fall of 1964; and the boys drove to Boise each Sunday for practice. As a member, Jack traveled around the country with the group and made many lifelong friends. It was in Oinkaris that Jack first met Antonia "Toni" Arana. Jack & Antonia were married May 15, 1971, and were ready to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. They have two children, Jacqueline and Nicholas. He was an extremely proud and often boasting father. Jack's work history included co-ownership of the Forum in downtown Boise, management of the Brass Lamp Pizza on the Ditch in Caldwell, and a long-time position of manager of the Elk's Lodge in Nampa. Jack enjoyed following Jacqueline's and Nicholas' many activities. Jack was a natural athlete and shared his love for sports particularly with his son, Nicholas. He enjoyed the outdoors for many, many years-- bird hunting, fishing and camping. His true passion, however, was golf. Jack not only enjoyed the sport itself but the time he spent with his close friends at courses throughout the Valley. He enjoyed playing muz (Basque card game). Jack played in many club-sponsored muz tournaments; and in 2010, he and Nicholas were the Euzkaldunak champions and played in the NABO tournament. He especially enjoyed the "home" tournament championships. He shared his many interests with friends and family members. Many old golf buddies will miss their days with Jack, as will the Basque Center's Sunday muz players. He enjoyed many years of celebrations with his especially large extended family, but he and Antonia's annual tradition of going out to dinner to celebrate their wedding anniversary with their lifelong friends, John and Juliana Aldape, was a particular highlight of each year. Jack's favorite role was that of aitxitxa to Isabella, Jackson and Gabriella—hiding candy in his pockets for them to accidently "find" when they came to give him hugs and kisses. Jack is survived by his wife Antonia; daughter Jacqueline and son-in-law Geoff Kite-Powell; son Nicholas and daughter-in-law Izar Bicandi; grandchildren Isabella, Jackson and Gabriella Kite-Powell; father John Bicandi; brothers Gary (Janice) Bicandi and Pat (Ruth) Bicandi; brothers-in-law Frank (Kathy) Arana and Ramon (Darla) Arana—as well as many nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother Jimmy and his mother Nina. A vigil service will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 7 p.m., at Cloverdale Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 10 a.m., at St. John's Cathedral. Memorial donations may be made to Euzkaldunak Basque Foundation, PO Box 2613, Boise 83701; Oinkari Basque Dancers, PO Box 1011, Boise 83701; or St. Joseph's Catholic School, 825 W Fort, Boise 83702. To share memories with the family please visit Jack's memorial webpage online at www.CloverdaleFuneralHome.com.