Salta, Jack S.
NAME: Jack Simmons Salta
Biography:
[S. Salta Neighborhood leader, 49]
Jack Simmons Salta, 49, a former dental technician who for many years served as executive director of Washington Square West Neighbors in Philadelphia, died of complications from AIDS on Feb. 21 at Keystone Hospice in Wyndmoor. Mr. Salta became head of the Washington Square organization in 1993, his sister, Victoria Jordan, said yesterday. Mr. Salta had to leave full-time work in 1994, she said, because of his illness. He was diagnosed with HIV when he was 26. Born in Manhattan, he graduated Published on 2009-04-09, Page B10, Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)
[Simmons Salta, artist, civic leader]Source: JOHN F. MORRISON [[1]] 215-854-5573 JACK SIMMONS Salta packed a lot of creativity in a life shortened by years of suffering from AIDS.
His life was a true profile in courage as he battled the debilitating disease and the side effects from the medication that was developed to prolong the lives of its sufferers.
He died Feb. 21 at age 49. He had lived in Center City for more than 20 years, and recently in North Philadelphia.
Jack was a man of many talents with a passion for the arts, as well as a civic leader working Published on 2009-04-09, Page 30, Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
Jack Simmons Salta grew up on Long Island, the son of an Italian American father and mother of English descent who worked in the halcion days of T.V. and radio as a group singer, later as a private voice teacher and school teacher. His growing up years were filled with music and the jovial upbeat culture of his father's large extended Sicilian family. At age 11, Jack's parents divorced having a profoundly disturbing effect on him at a time when he was becoming more aware of his sexual identity, and in need of stable family support. Much of Jack's emotional pain and disturbance was derived from this life changing event, informing his artistic sensibility as a song writer and artist.
Jack Simmons Salta was a cousin of Red Socks catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. His grandfather was Hezzelton E. Simmons, former president of Akron University, Ohio, and pioneer in the field of rubber chemistry. He is also a descendant of William Bradford of the Mayflower and Ohio abolitionists whose homes were stops on the underground railroad.
Jack's survivors include his sister Victoria Salta Jordan, nephew Bradley S. Jordan, and mother, Priscilla Simmons. His father, Jack Salta (ne Saltalamacchia), died February 2010.
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Date of Birth: July 26, 1959
Date of Death (delete if non-applicable): 2/21/09
Age at Death (delete if non-applicable): 49
Employment: Approximately 10 years working as a dental technician, graduate of Villanova University BS in Business Administration, 1982. Naval Service - 1978 - 1981.
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