Sal Salinero

1941 - 2015

Sal Salinero (born Idilio M. Salinero) died on August 11th peacefully and in the arms of his partner (and husband in spirit) of 33 years, Dr. Jeffrey Birn. An internationally renowned Key West artist and a 4th generation conch (born in Key West), Sal was a resident of Key West, FL and Boulder, CO. Sal was the devoted son of Aleida and Pancho Salinero, until they passed away. After graduating Key West High School in 1959, Sal joined the army in 1962 to see the world and became a Green Beret with the 8th Special Forces, spending the Vietnam War in the jungles of Panama, where he developed his initial interest in the rainforest.
Sal began painting as a young child and was a self-taught artist. After discharge from the military he attended college in Miami, following which he worked for the military in Key West as a civilian where he managed data processing and became the assistant to the Commander at Boca Chica Naval Air Station. Throughout this period Sal continued painting evenings and weekends. He became the Director of the Key West Art Center when it was the main gallery in the city. Subsequently, he began showing at Gingerbread Square Gallery where his one-man show was the initial art exhibition for the Gallery's first opening in 1974. In 1994, he became the owner of the gallery with his life partner Jeff Birn.
Jeff and Sal met in Key West in 1982 at the "Monster." It was love at first sight. Within months they married (in spirit), and Sal moved to Boulder, CO where he began painting full time from his new studio that looked out onto a lake and the Foothills of the Rocky Mountains. He became an immediate loved member of Jeff's family with all the nieces and nephews knowing them their entire lives as Uncles Sal and Jeff. He always felt blessed to have this entire second new family that embraced and loved him from the start.
Sal had a sharp appreciation of the beauty of the tropical rainforests. He sought to bring the beauty of the rainforests to the world through his art, with the desire to create a greater public awareness of the need to protect against their destruction. Sal's paintings can be found in many public, corporate and private collections around the world. He enjoyed numerous one-man shows, participated in national and international exhibitions and group shows, and has been featured in a multitude of state, regional, national and foreign publications.
After taking over as owners of Gingerbread Square Gallery in 1994 with Jeff, Sal began spending more and more time in Key West once again. His heart and soul were always drawn back to his island paradise. Sal was a longtime supporter of many Key West, as well as national philanthropic, environmental, visual art and cultural organizations. He donated hundreds of works of his art over the years for auctions of many of these groups. He was the winner of numerous awards and commendations including honorary recognition awards. If someone touched his heart he always gave away works as gifts. He was extremely prolific, painting some 200 works per year for most of his career until his illness made it impossible for him to continue 11 years ago.
In addition to his art, Sal had a zest for life and travel. Always ready for the next adventure with his soul mate Jeff, together they explored the world and rainforests around the globe. When they were together they both always felt young and ready for the next new experience. Sal's sense of style, design and color was noteworthy. He was always looking for the beauty in the world †whether it was a butterfly, a small insect, a flower, an unusual leaf or cloud formation, and the paintings they would inspire. He was active his whole life, from his expertise as a tennis player to his love of snow skiing, hiking and aerobics. As he could never sit still, being full of endless energy, he was nicknamed the "White Tornado." He awoke every morning with a big smile on his face that seemed to never fade. He had a quick wit and always could deliver that most appropriate quip perfectly.
He is survived by his life partner and husband in spirit Jeffrey Birn of 33 years; his sister Martha (Marty) Salinero of Miami, FL; his sisters-in-law Helene Fersko and her husband Jack, and Francine Parker and her partner Barry Berman; nephews Seth Fersko, Stephen and Nathan Parker and niece Allison Fersko; 4 great-nieces and nephews; cousins and friends too numerous to count and the life partner Robert Silver of his cousin David Vinson. He is predeceased by his parents Aleida and Pancho (Idilio) Salinero, his grandparents and his cousin David for whom he always had a special place in his heart.
The gratitude we have for the excellent and devoted care by Daniel Vasquez for over 5 years - the last 3 years full time as a live-in caregiver is more than words can express. We also want to express our thanks to Sarah Bruce for her support as Director of "Caregivers of the Keys," to Mellisa Impallomeni, NP at the Key West VA clinic and to Dr. William Blanchet and Peggy Ehrhart, RN of Boulder, CO who both showed so much compassion and provided such excellent medical care to Sal for many years.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Wesley House in Key West. http://www.wesleyhouse.org - 305.809.5000; Main Office (Administrative, Child Care Family, Healthy Families, and Provider Services), 1304 Truman Avenue, Key West, FL 33040.
Funeral Services were held Saturday, August 22 at 3:30 PM at the United Methodist Old Stone Church in Key West. Burial followed at the Key West Cemetery where there was an Honor Guard salute by the U.S. Army Special Forces. A Celebration of Life reception followed provided by his cousin Fred Salinero at his restaurant - 'El Meson de Pepe's' in Mallory Square.