Jean-Pierre Sallin Obituary
Jean Pierre Sallin (1947-2023)
Jean Pierre passed away on February 16, 2023 after a brief illness. He was born in Montreaux, Switzerland and with his family managed various hotels and restaurants throughout the region. He lived on Rue Des Artisans in Clarens, Switzerland. A fitting street name as he pursued photography in later life. A world traveller, excellent chef and entertainment photographer, always with a backstage pass, he grew up behind the scenes of the annual Montreaux Jazz Festival.
Jean Pierre and his first wife, Josiane Gladys Aubort, were proud parents of their son Steve Joel, born in Thailand in 1972. After his divorce a few years later, Jean Pierre and Steve travelled extensively through Northern Africa. Along that journey they met Toni Macri from Stevens, WA. In January of 1977, Toni and Jean Pierre were married in Colville, WA. Tragically Toni died in an auto accident caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol. His son Steve fortunately survived the crash.
After an extended visit with family and friends in Switzerland, Jean Pierre and Steve returned to the US to settle in San Francisco CA. Jean Pierre was then managing a popular Greek restaurant in the Noe Valley district of SF. Meanwhile, his work in the entertainment industry took him backstage with lead performers. While residing on Fell St, he and his friends opened a downstairs venue called 'Reggae St'. It became a popular stop off for performers visiting SF. One special evening due to a change in schedule, the Jamaican poet, Mutaburuka, had the crowd spell bound with an impromptu recitation of his most loved poetry.
During those San Francisco days, he met Michelle Kathleen who was then an Executive Assistant to the Vice President at Business International, SF. They moved to a large Victorian flat in the Mission District to make a home for Steve. In October of 1983, they were blessed to welcome a son, Alexis Martin. Always lovers of the outdoors, the family spent many weekends camping out in Pescadero, Butano and Memorial Parks to the south of SF. Or weekends found them at the beaches of Marin in Bolinas, Stinson Beach or Pt Reyes. As they grew older, Steve and Alexis often pursued the sport of wind surfing together.
After separating, Jean Pierre worked with a partner, Herbert Holme from Austria, and opened Capitol Business Machines in the Excelsior District at Persian and Mission Sts. Michelle went on to artistic endeavors at Precita Park painting murals and teaching art in SF schools.
Jean Pierre later moved to Sausalito and eventually retired to life in the Redwoods in the Guerneville area. A private memorial service will be held by the family. Remembrances and condolences may be made on line at:
https://www.echovita.com
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a gift in Jean Pierre's memory to the American Cancer Society, or for the love of his dogs, a gift to Dogma Animal Rescue in Monte Rio, CA
http://www.dogmaanimalrescue.org
