A strong advocate for higher education, Thomas P. Bicanich Jr. never stopped learning.

Over the years, Bicanich visited 49 of the nation’s 50 states. He explored each one thoroughly to learn what it had to offer, while pursuing a broad range of other interests and hobbies. His wife, Joanne Cecchi, said few people knew Bicanich was an accomplished violinist who also played the tuba.

As accomplished as Bicanich was, he would downplay his successes — including becoming an associate professor emeritus at the University of Pittsburgh — to play up the achievements of his nieces and nephew.

Bicanich, of New Kensington, died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, at 89.

Bicanich grew up in the Rural Ridge section of Indiana Township, where his parents owned a small grocery store. It was a tight-knit community where he was immersed in family values and his Croatian heritage, his wife said.

After graduating from West Deer High School, he served in the Navy during the Korean War and then began his career in education when he returned home.

“He was a natural,” Cecchi said of Bicanich.

Bicanich got his start as a business education teacher at Monessen High School before being recruited to the Pitt faculty, Cecchi said. He earned a doctoral degree.

Cecchi said she met Bicanich when she was in the master’s program at Pitt.

“He accelerated me through my professional career as a mentor and most strong supporter and advocate he could possibly be,” Cecchi said.

The two began dating in 1979 after Cecchi completed her master’s degree. They got married last year.

“We were soulmates,” Cecchi said. “Soulmates from the day we met.”

Cecchi said Bicanich was a major supporter of her charity, Project SEED, which sends bags of food home with children in the New Kensington-­Arnold School District on weekends.

“From the moment of conception with that idea, he just nurtured it so much, and that’s why contributions are going in memory of him,” Cecchi said. “He lived it and breathed it every bit as much as I did.”

Cecchi described Bicanich as warm, kind, genuine and thoughtful. In addition to doting on his nieces and nephew, he inspired them to pursue higher education.

He also was passionate about travel. His bucket list included visiting all 50 states. He knew the United States had a lot to offer and wanted to see it for himself, Cecchi said, noting he planned the trips diligently and explored each state thoroughly.

“We had this big map, and we would put these little stickers on each state as we went there,” Cecchi said.

The only state not visited: Alaska. A trip there was in the works for last year, but the covid-19 pandemic interfered.

His other interests included gardening, playing golf, rooting for Pitt football and watching “Jeopardy!”

Along with Cecchi, Bicanich is survived by sisters-in-law Janet Teeple of Washington Township, Lin (David) DeBiasio of Allegheny Township, Wendy Barclay of East Deer; brother-in-law Dave (Cassie) Cecchi of North Apollo; nieces, Kristin Teeple, Kylie (Scott) Bowen, Tiffani (Justin) Miller and Dr. Megan Barclay; nephew, Ian Barclay; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A blessing service was held Wednesday morning at Curran-Shaffer Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 100 Owens View Ave., Apollo.

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