A legendary Philadelphia leader is gone

Jeremy Nowak, a well-known investor in Philadelphia civic projects, died Saturday after complications from a heart attack.

Nowak, 66, founded the Philadelphia Reinvestment Fund, a financial nonprofit assisting with community development and was also formerly the head of the William Penn Foundation, a grant-making organization based in the city.

Along with his community development work, Nowak was the chair and frequent columnist for local online media outlet the Philadelphia Citizen.

Nowak was most recently a distinguished visiting fellow at Drexel University’s Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation, as well as running a consulting company.

John Fry, Drexel’s president, told the Inquirer that Nowak was “a ferocious advocate for the displaced and the disenfranchised.”

Services will be held Friday, Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. at Drexel’s main auditorium, 3141 Chestnut St. Donations in memory of Nowak can be made to the Mastery Charter Foundation — Jeremy Nowak Scholarship; Lankenau Hospital Fund #5121 for the Cardio-thoracic Intensive Care Unit; and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.