Memorial

GUS CANTELMO 1914-2004

On April 5, 2004 Gus Cantelmo passed away, he was 90 years old. Gus had a long photographic life. In 1951 Gus and I attended a meeting at the Suburban Hotel in Summit with about 20 members of different camera clubs. This meeting was to plan and finalize the forming of the New Jersey Federation of Camera Clubs. Gus represented Tri-County Camera Club of which he was a charter member. He remained a very active delegate from Tri-County of the NJFCC for many years.

Gus was an excellent Mono Printer, and he was a Master of a technique, which was using a paper negative process. Many of the old school photographers used this process. During the Cold Wars years Gus was invited to send 20+ prints to the Soviet Union for a Traveling Exhibition that went all over the Soviet. He also has 20+ prints in the PSA Permanent Print Collection. Gus enjoyed going to New England and the Maritime Provinces of Canada to photograph Seascapes, of which he was a Master.

During his lifetime in the business world he was an Industrial Sales Representative for Schafer Camera in Newark and later with Victor Camera on Bloomfield Ave. in Newark. In 1992 Gus retired and he and his wife Helen moved to Toms River and Gus became a member of the Ocean County Camera Club.

Gus is survived by Helen, his wife of 65 years, sons Andre and John and daughter Amy, his brother Fred, and his sister Phyllis Ferrara, 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

We will miss him.

Heinz and Dotti Otto, FPSA, NJFC

RAY ARMSTRONG - In Memoriam- 2005

Gus Cantelmo Ray Armstrong, who was 72 in January, passed away on March 2nd from complications of a massive stroke he suffered a few days earlier. His stroke was completely unexpected and a shock to all who knew him because he was always so energetic and involved in running his several businesses, helping others and participating in various organizations. He always conducted himself with grace, energy, enthusiasm and dedication.

He is survived by his second wife Mary, and children Paul and Donald Grimes, Kathy Potts, Teresa Redcay, Patricia Christopher and Joan Pleis and Steven Armstrong. Ray is also survived by 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Ray and Mary had met at a widows & widowers meeting and married in 1976. They would have been together for 28 years this May.

Ray's contributions to the NJFCC were outstanding!

2004 Trustee
2003 Acting President
2002 Photorama Chair @ the Mount Laurel location
2001-02 President
1998-2000 Trustee
1993 Recipient of NJFCC Citation
15+years NJFCC Delegate for Maple Shade/Moorestown CC

In addition to his contributions to our organization, Ray used his time and many talents to help his community, family, friends and others in need. He was, indeed, a most generous man.

Ray's early interest and talent as a machinist began during his 3 years in the U.S. Navy at Norfolk, Virginia shortly before the outbreak of war in Korea. After the Navy, he worked at the AT&T Engineering and Research Center in Hopewell for many years. He also worked for RCA and Research Tool & Die and finally had his own custom machinist business.

He loved challenges and especially enjoyed jobs like making an intricate special part for a working replica of a Gatling gun from the Old West for a customer. Ray's interest in cameras and photography started after meeting Mary. Photography became a passion and led to another of his businesses as a commercial photographer.

He was an active member of the Maple Shade Moorestown Camera Club, as well as, the NJFCC. Ray started two family oriented events with his township at Easter and Christmas and got his club to take family pictures at the township's events including another one on the Fourth of July. Continuing to give of himself, Ray regularly donned a "Spot- the Clown" costume of his own to entertain children with muscular dystrophy. For years, he collected soda tabs for charity and was a regular blood donor to the American Red Cross.

The last thing Ray initiated was a "Photorama type" Benefit Event for a fellow member of the Maple Shade Moorestown CC. That member has an inoperable brain tumor and his medical bills were becoming a family hardship. With the organization of the event completed by Ray before his death, his fellow members of MS/MCC are carrying out his plans for the benefit, which will be held on April 3, at the Maple Shade Municipal Complex.

At the funeral home services attended by hundreds, there was a short video presentation of photographs of Ray's life and his many activities. It started and ended with the caption "Ray Armstrong, 1932-2004 "A life Well-Lived". That pretty much says it all. He will be long remembered and greatly missed by all who knew him.