John Tricamo Obituary

John Tricamo Passed peacefully January 12, 2007 surrounded by his family. Walking the hills with a newspaper under his arm, San Francisco was John's love and teaching was his calling. A colleague called him an "extraordinary teacher of deep thoughtfulness and erudition." Born June 5, 1926 in Brooklyn, NY, John served the army in Europe from 1944 to 1946. An officer who recognized his inquiring mind arranged a transfer that allowed him to witness history in the making at the Nuremberg trials. With the support of the GI Bill, he received a BA and MA from Fordham and a PhD in history from Columbia University. He married Joan Michels in 1958 and they traveled to San Francisco on their honeymoon. So in love with the city, they promised they would return. John joined the history department at San Francisco State University in 1965 where he taught the Jackson-Civil War period, History of the South, and Military History. John's love for history did not end with his retirement as he faithfully attended the Bradley University German History Seminar every year since 1990. His colleagues there deemed him the "life and soul" of the seminar. John was a lover of life and took great joy in baseball, politics, traveling Europe, conversation, and reading. John is survived by Joan; his children and their spouses Regina and Blaine, John and Bonita, Dave and Gitane; grandchildren, Devlin, Julian and Francesca. A Memorial Service will be held on February 10 at 12:30 pm at St. Teresa's Church, 19th St. and Connecticut St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to doctorswithoutborders.org.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jan. 28 to Jan. 30, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for John Tricamo

10 Entries

Greg Kondrek

July 4, 2025

I was a graduate student of Dr. Tricamo in the mid-70s at SFSU.
He was a dynamic and engaging lecturer. One day I asked him how he was able to give such tremendously detailed lectures without using any notes. John smiled at me and replied "after you've been teaching for forty years, you'll be able to do it too".
A grand gentleman, tremendous intellect and huge spirit I will never forget! Thank you John, for your tremendous encouragement and Humanity

Robert E. Valdez

May 26, 2024

For years I have beem trying to remember this person's name. I took a U.S. History class from John Tricamo around 1990. It was one of the best classes I had ever taken. John taught Post-Civil War events as though he actually lived through them. I am sorry that I was not able to remember who he was for so many years and wish I could have told him how I almost became a History teacher because of his influence on me (long story). God bless you John.

Getald W. Peterson, SFSU '78

January 13, 2021

Dr. Tricamo's class on Presidential Elections was the most memorable experience of my college years. He made William Jennings Bryan (and Tom Seaver) appear virtually.

Ed Gosselin

February 24, 2007

I met John on the Berlin-Prague Seminar in 1994. We immediately became the closest of friends. We have discussed baseball, politics, France, and families ever since. He and I visited Paris together two years ago and walked and walked and walked. He was like a brother and father to me. I saw him at his home last March when Jois, my partner, and I went to dinner chez lui. He was clearly not well, but he was, as always, the most welcoming and loving John -- as was Joan, his prescious wife and friend of ours.
It is hard to imagine a world withour John. There is one, though, but the hope is that we will find each other again in the next.
Farewell for now, my friend.

John Mulcahy

February 12, 2007

I am so sorry to learn of John's passing. I will always remember working with him to make our neighborhood safer a few years ago.
He was both knowledgeable and wise. His spirited energy and ability made a difference when we met with the Supes and Mayor Brown.
God Bless John.

art falzer

February 6, 2007

my heart will be with you all as you share your love for my cousin Jack and celebrate his life. How wonderful that you have shared so many moments with him and have had him in your lives as a loving patriarch and mentor both in wisdom and attitude and indeed whimsy. I have always valued the times I have spent with all of you. Salute with love, your cousins, Artie, Cindy, Jason, and Fran.

Gary Penders

February 4, 2007

I was shocked and saddened to hear of John's passing. Somehow I imagined we would always have time for one more conversation, or one more baseball game. I will think of John every time the Mets play ball, and every time politics makes the news.

Damian Barta

January 30, 2007

To the Tricamo Family,

When Barb and I heard that Jack was very ill, we were both filled with the most palpable and vivid memory of his presence at the New Year’s celebrations we shared together. What a wonderful companion he was on those special nights!
Jack’s large and generous spirit was reflected first in the warmth of his greeting and then in the enthusiasm and bounty of his conversation. You always felt that what you said was well considered and encouraged by Jack and his response always related to and expanded the subject matter at hand.
He had such a gift that way! He reflected a great joy in living and experiencing the world he encountered, and it came across in the breadth and detail of his stories, whether about baseball, family, world history, or scotch. And he was always so, so gracious.
In those few but memorable evenings Jack left a mark on our lives that will be with us forever.
Our love goes out to you.

Damian and Barbara

Deborah Bailey-Wells

January 29, 2007

John was such an important part of my life as well as my daughter's. He is and will be sorely missed. The graciousness of his smile and his great ability to listen to others are two great talents that our world now sadly lacks with John's departure. I can only say to my friend, flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. With all our love to John and his whole family. Much love and hugs (thanks Joan!), Debbie and Ally

STEPHANIE ANGELI

January 28, 2007

HE WAS SUCH A COOL GUY, I'LL MISS HIM FOREVER.

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