John Ciaccio Dies at Age 27; ‘Loss to the Gay Community’
John Ciaccio, a pioneering leader within the San Diego homosexual community and co-founder of the Gayzette newspaper, died Friday. He was 27.
Ciaccio, who died of complications from AIDS at UC San Diego Medical Center, organized the first local candlelight march over the AIDS issue 2 1/2 years ago. He was also on the board of directors of both the AIDS Assistant Fund and the San Diego AIDS Project.
His death was viewed as a “profound loss to the gay community” because of his powerful personality and leadership, said Chris Kehoe, editor of the Gayzette, which Ciaccio helped found in 1982.
A native San Diegan, Ciaccio served as the advertising manager of the paper until shortly before his death.
“John took up the fight and organized people to the plight of AIDS patients,” said Jim Glaser, assistant editor of the Gayzette. “Though he’s passed on, others will have to pick up his fight and do so with a sense of urgency.”
He is survived by his mother, Helen; father, John; brothers Joseph and Robert, and sister Lisa.
Memorial service arrangements are pending.
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