Paul Edward "Skip" Bicknese
1947 - 2016
Paul Edward "Skip" Bicknese, 69, of Fruitland, passed away Monday, July 18, 2016 at home.
The first son of Ed and Ruth (Johnson) Bicknese, Skip was born March 6, 1947, and raised in Ontario. He attended Ontario schools, graduating from Ontario High School in 1965. He went on to receive his associate's degree from Treasure Valley Community College, a Bachelor of Arts from Boise State College in 1970, and his Master's Degree from the University of Idaho in 1972.
He served in the National Guard, playing with the 25th Army Band, from Dec. 4, 1968, until Sept. 15, 1976 and was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant. He married Carol Lynn Jennings on July 22, 1969 in Winnemucca, NV. They would have celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary on Friday. To this union came two sons, Michael Edward Bicknese, on July 13, 1971, and Paul William Bicknese on Oct. 14, 1974. The family lived in Middleton, ID, from 1970 to 1972 and then in Fruitland from 1972 to present.
Skip taught music for the Middleton School District for two years then taught for the Fruitland School District from 1972 to 1987. He taught for one year at San Dimas, CA, before returning to Idaho where he taught for the Weiser School District from 1988 to 1990 and at the Fruitland School District from 1990 to 1995. Skip continued his teaching career at the Ontario School District from 1995 until his retirement in 2012, but he never stopped teaching music. He continued working with students across the valley through the end of the 2015-16 school year.
Music was engrained in everything Skip did. He played in several bands including the Tijuana Grass, Sail, Place Your Marker, The Senior Citizens and various other dance bands. He formed Ed's Big Band, a music ensemble made up for area music educators.
Skip is survived by his wife, Carol of Fruitland; sons Mike (Tricia) Bicknese of Caldwell, ID and Paul (Tiffinae) Bicknese of Fruitland; one brother Larry (Suzy) Bicknese of Portland, OR; and grandchildren Jonas, Shaylee, and Avery Bicknese, all of Fruitland.
A viewing will be held from 5-7 p.m., Friday, July 22nd at Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Fruitland. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 23rd at Calvary Chapel, 1775 Alameda Dr., Ontario. Interment will follow at Park View Cemetery, New Plymouth.
Memorials may be made to the Ontario High School Music Dept. or the Fruitland High School Music Dept., c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83661.

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Published by Idaho Statesman on Jul. 21, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Bicknese

Sponsored by The Idaho Statesman.

16 Entries

britteny fiorentino

July 26, 2016

just wanted to send a silent prayer to mr.bicness an ask him please know that we all love an will forever be greatful for the huge impact he had on everyone he ever came into contact with thru out his years for real keep the beat going skip u always seemed to know how

Jeff Schauer

July 25, 2016

Skip not only taught music, he modeled effective teaching methods to his colleagues without even trying. Because of him I learned to exhibit enthusiasm for my subject matter in order to "infect" my students with that same feeling. I learned the art of self-deprecating humor as a way of making my students become more comfortable with who they were from his examples. All in all, Skip was a model teacher, a model citizen, and an all-around fine human being. I will miss him greatly. The music will live on because of Skip Bicknese.

July 23, 2016

To the Bicknese family,
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Skip. He impacted so many lives. My fondest memories came from band during my Fruitland HS days. I am unable to make it to the funeral, but my thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Tracey Matsubu Wade, Boise, Idaho

Donald Moore

July 22, 2016

Although I was never a student of Mr. Bicknese, there is a huge hole in my heart over his loss.
It's true what the comments said, music surrounded him always and it was a part of him. His actions were always upright- when he judged my groups he always took the time to find just the right words- he was more interested in inspiring students unlike others, showing how much he knew and how little he did. He had a keen sense with young bands what to say and how to say it. This was his success. It's no secret why so many have written saying how much he changed their lives, even if they weren't musicians. It's simply what he did....
He touched so many....but if you asked him, he'd probably just say it was all in a day's work.
You'll be sorely missed Skip, but I know that someday I'll see you again.....

Chad Huff

July 22, 2016

Bicknese family,
I was so saddened to hear about Skip passing away. He was my band director from 5th grade on thru high school. I have so many fond memories of Skip and I will truly miss him. All of us, from the Huff Family, express our condolences. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to call.
Chad Huff and Family

Patty Tschirgi Robling

July 22, 2016

Sometimes a person doesn't realize how many people he has touched and made a difference in their life. For me, Skip gave me an appreciation of
different genres of music....not just the rock and roll of my high school days. Because of him - I discovered how relaxing classical music can be or how uplifting hymns and gospels are. Thank you Skip - you made a difference in my life. I send prayers and strength to his family.

Mike Sasaki

July 21, 2016

Dear Carol and Family,
We were saddened to hear about Skip passing away. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. The community will miss a wonderful human being, a fabulous teacher, and a very talented musician! Carry on his incredible legacy!

From the Heart,
The Ruth Sasaki Family (Cathy, Patti, Leland, Ellen, and Mike

britteny fiorentino

July 21, 2016

BEST DAMN MUSIC TEACHER I EVER HAD THE HONOR AN PLEASUER OF HAVING AT OHS MADE ME EXCITED TO GOTO SCHOOL WHEN I HAD TO GO SING AN HAVE AN AMAZING TIME SUCH AN ANIMATED MAN ALWAYS ABLE TO FIND THE TALENT IN ANYONE SUERLY MISSED HOPE HE IS HAVIN A GOOD TIME AN WITH LOVED ONES PASSED BEFORE

Vivianne Altree

July 21, 2016

Blessings to Skip's family. I took flute lessons from Skip starting in the summer of 1969. He shaped my life far beyond music. He taught me that encouragement and positive feedback result in far better results from people than criticism and complaints - which I had experienced from another music teacher. I have shared that story often with managers that I mentor. Through Skip's expert teaching, a flutist from little 'ole Huntington High School qualified for the State solo contest and had many performance opportunities. The tools that I learned to battle butterflies served me well in my career when giving presentations and briefings to executives, 4-star generals, presidents, and CEOs. Music lessons with Skip will always be a fond memory for me and I will always be grateful to him.

Mike Peterson

July 21, 2016

Dear Bicknese family,

I'm very sorry for your loss. Although I was not musically inclined and did not have him as a teacher, "Mr. Bicknese" always took time to say hi and cared deeply about every student and the school. I'll always remember opposing fans/players commenting on how great the OHS band was - often much better and more entertaining than the athletic teams they came to watch. He will be missed.

July 21, 2016

Dear Carol, Mike, and Paul,
You hold a very special place in our heart! You have touch each of our children, Greg, Stephen, and Kenneth. Our heart is sad at this time as we learned of Skip's death. May God Bless you and know of our love and support at this difficult time. Thank you for being such a special part of our life. We will always remember you and Skip. Tom and Royella Smith

Mick Beam

July 21, 2016

I'm so sorry for your loss. May God grant you peace and comfort during this time of loss. It was a pleasure having Skip as a neighbor when we lived on 3 Rivers Way.

Sincerely,

Mick, Tommy and Tynan Ady

July 21, 2016

My condolences. May you find comfort knowing that God is near you and is a refuge during this difficult time.
Psalms 9:9

Sarabelle Young

July 21, 2016

Carol and family,
Skip was such a great guy. He will be sorely missed. May God grant you peace, comfort and strength as you walk through this. I remember doing "The Bride" with you. I was in the choir and watched the whole thing. I know there is a heaven and Skip is there. Can't wait to see him again!

July 21, 2016

MAY God's loving kindness comfort you and help you through this sad time
PSALMS 29:11

Jean Church

July 20, 2016

Carol, Larry Mike, Paul and families,
A few years ago I had the question linger in my mind of what would make me feel as if my life had been successful. The answer that came to me was that I wold have to feel that my life had enriched the lives of others. By this standard Skip has probably had one of the most fulfilling lives of anyone I've ever known.
My heart feels a little emptier today because he's gone but, oh, the memories, joy and laughter he's left as a legacy!
I remember hearing him play along with Dick Groves and Bob Keele as "The Tijuana Grass." He was my H.S. band director the first few years he taught in Fruitland and he taught me my first music theory in private piano lessons. I remember the "mustache year"s as he played piano at Shakey's Pizza in Ontario as well as the years he played for the East Side Cafe.
He encouraged me when I decided to major in music in college and, later he taught my children Katy and Andy as OHS band students. (He was their favorite teacher also). Later, when Katy was diagnosed with Hodgkin's he encouraged her and, when she was able to choreograph and teach the flag corps at OHS, he became friends with her daughter Elizabeth. When Katy passed away in 2009 he cried (and teared up with me for years after when we would visit - such a soft heart). At Katy's funeral, he honored us by being a pall bearer; he gave little Elizabeth a stuffed tiger which she still has.
It was my pleasure and honor to work with him occasionally as a guest accompanist for his choirs and state soloists as well as being invited to guest teach his Elite Choir in preparation for festival.
He was so talented, a joy with whom to work, and he taught me so much.
I give you a multitude of thanks for all the time you've shared him with others. He will be so very missed.
My heart is with you.
Jean (Strange) Church

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