Obituary of Jesse Soifer

Jesse Soifer, 84 of Philadelphia,nationally known artist and art educator died on March 15th from complications of an earlier stroke. Soifer, an artist since his childhood, first gained international recognition while a student at Chester High School, Chester, Pa. when several of his water colors were displayed in Europe through the Gimbels Junior Scholastic Art exhibition and Red Cross Exchange Program. He went on from there to be featured and win prizes and acclaim in over 300 gallery exhibits and many one man shows here and in Paris during his 70 year career. He has paintings in the permanent collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Portland Art Museum, Portland Oregon, Free Library of Philadelphia Art Collection, The DuPont Collection and at Bell Atlantic Corporate Headquarters. His abstract watercolors were selected to tour Europe with the work of Willem DeCooning and several other prominent artists. The Philadelphia Mummer's Museum features a permanent collection of his Mummer Parade sketches. His work has been favorably reviewed in Art News, The Philadelphia Inquirer Art Section and the New Yorker Magazine. Soifer has teacher certification from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and a Master of Fine Arts Degree from Tyler School of Fine Arts, Temple University. He taught for 30 years in the Ridley Township School System of Pennsylvania, and also taught courses art Cumberland County College. He was predeceased by his parents, Abram and Irene Soifer. He is survived by his twin brother, Mark (and Toby Soifer of Vineland) three grand nieces and a grand nephew, Rebecca Agronksy and Jessica Albertson of Vineland, Rachel Soifer and David Soifer of Maryland and nine of the Soifer's grandchildren. For a compete resume of Jesse's many achievements contact mtsoifer@aol.com. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Donations in Jesse's name may be made to the Cumberland County SPCA of Vineland or to the charity of one's choice.