George T. Baseloeon, known to thousands of children as Salty Sam from a former WEEK-TV show, died at 1:25p.m. Thursday at St. Frances Medical Center.
He was 76. A resident of 1502 Covington Road, he was born May 26, 1909, in Peoria to Theodore and Aspacia (Pontikis) Baseleon.
From 1956-1972, WEEK-TV carried The Captain Jinks Show with Captain (Stan Lonergan), and shipmate Salty Sam (Baseleon) sailing the S.S. Albatross.
At one time, in 1966, the ratings climbed as high as 76 percent of the viewing audience. Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and kids of all ages waited on year long lists to be part of the live TV-25 audience.
What most people liked about the afternoon show was that in almost 20 years, Captain Jinks and Salty Sam never had a writer — never even had a script.
From 1956-72, their show was broadcast live from the studio every weekday afternoon. From 1978-81 it was taped twice a week.
Baseleon was also an announcer at WEEK, having been with the station since it was organized in 1947.
A native Peorian, be graduated from St. Mary's Catholic Grade School and from Spalding Institute.
While at school, he was a champion debater and orator. He once had a dancing act with a sister that was widely acclaimed, and he once won a Journal Transcript award for tennis.
He also was once active with the Peoria Players Theater.
He worked for the U.S. Postal Service 20 years, and last as assistant manager of Heritage House, where be worked eight years before retiring in June.
He was an Army vetern of World War II.
Surviving are one daughter, Christine Baseleon, one brother, Andy Baseleon, and one sister, Matilda Baseleon, all of Peoria.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Wilton Mortuary, where services will be
at 3 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Springdale Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Midwest Affiliate.
He was 76. A resident of 1502 Covington Road, he was born May 26, 1909, in Peoria to Theodore and Aspacia (Pontikis) Baseleon.
From 1956-1972, WEEK-TV carried The Captain Jinks Show with Captain (Stan Lonergan), and shipmate Salty Sam (Baseleon) sailing the S.S. Albatross.
At one time, in 1966, the ratings climbed as high as 76 percent of the viewing audience. Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and kids of all ages waited on year long lists to be part of the live TV-25 audience.
What most people liked about the afternoon show was that in almost 20 years, Captain Jinks and Salty Sam never had a writer — never even had a script.
From 1956-72, their show was broadcast live from the studio every weekday afternoon. From 1978-81 it was taped twice a week.
Baseleon was also an announcer at WEEK, having been with the station since it was organized in 1947.
A native Peorian, be graduated from St. Mary's Catholic Grade School and from Spalding Institute.
While at school, he was a champion debater and orator. He once had a dancing act with a sister that was widely acclaimed, and he once won a Journal Transcript award for tennis.
He also was once active with the Peoria Players Theater.
He worked for the U.S. Postal Service 20 years, and last as assistant manager of Heritage House, where be worked eight years before retiring in June.
He was an Army vetern of World War II.
Surviving are one daughter, Christine Baseleon, one brother, Andy Baseleon, and one sister, Matilda Baseleon, all of Peoria.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Wilton Mortuary, where services will be
at 3 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Springdale Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Midwest Affiliate.
George T. Baseloeon, known to thousands of children as Salty Sam from a former WEEK-TV show, died at 1:25p.m. Thursday at St. Frances Medical Center.
He was 76. A resident of 1502 Covington Road, he was born May 26, 1909, in Peoria to Theodore and Aspacia (Pontikis) Baseleon.
From 1956-1972, WEEK-TV carried The Captain Jinks Show with Captain (Stan Lonergan), and shipmate Salty Sam (Baseleon) sailing the S.S. Albatross.
At one time, in 1966, the ratings climbed as high as 76 percent of the viewing audience. Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and kids of all ages waited on year long lists to be part of the live TV-25 audience.
What most people liked about the afternoon show was that in almost 20 years, Captain Jinks and Salty Sam never had a writer — never even had a script.
From 1956-72, their show was broadcast live from the studio every weekday afternoon. From 1978-81 it was taped twice a week.
Baseleon was also an announcer at WEEK, having been with the station since it was organized in 1947.
A native Peorian, be graduated from St. Mary's Catholic Grade School and from Spalding Institute.
While at school, he was a champion debater and orator. He once had a dancing act with a sister that was widely acclaimed, and he once won a Journal Transcript award for tennis.
He also was once active with the Peoria Players Theater.
He worked for the U.S. Postal Service 20 years, and last as assistant manager of Heritage House, where be worked eight years before retiring in June.
He was an Army vetern of World War II.
Surviving are one daughter, Christine Baseleon, one brother, Andy Baseleon, and one sister, Matilda Baseleon, all of Peoria.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Wilton Mortuary, where services will be
at 3 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Springdale Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Midwest Affiliate.
He was 76. A resident of 1502 Covington Road, he was born May 26, 1909, in Peoria to Theodore and Aspacia (Pontikis) Baseleon.
From 1956-1972, WEEK-TV carried The Captain Jinks Show with Captain (Stan Lonergan), and shipmate Salty Sam (Baseleon) sailing the S.S. Albatross.
At one time, in 1966, the ratings climbed as high as 76 percent of the viewing audience. Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and kids of all ages waited on year long lists to be part of the live TV-25 audience.
What most people liked about the afternoon show was that in almost 20 years, Captain Jinks and Salty Sam never had a writer — never even had a script.
From 1956-72, their show was broadcast live from the studio every weekday afternoon. From 1978-81 it was taped twice a week.
Baseleon was also an announcer at WEEK, having been with the station since it was organized in 1947.
A native Peorian, be graduated from St. Mary's Catholic Grade School and from Spalding Institute.
While at school, he was a champion debater and orator. He once had a dancing act with a sister that was widely acclaimed, and he once won a Journal Transcript award for tennis.
He also was once active with the Peoria Players Theater.
He worked for the U.S. Postal Service 20 years, and last as assistant manager of Heritage House, where be worked eight years before retiring in June.
He was an Army vetern of World War II.
Surviving are one daughter, Christine Baseleon, one brother, Andy Baseleon, and one sister, Matilda Baseleon, all of Peoria.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Wilton Mortuary, where services will be
at 3 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Springdale Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Midwest Affiliate.
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