Peter Lewis Jaffe

Peter Jaffe was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and spent his first 17 years in Tomah, WI, He moved to California in 1959 and was a 53 year resident of Ventura. He owned Jaffe’s Camera until his retirement in 1997. Next to his family, his life centered on his lifelong interest in photography, music and travel.

In 1972, he was a founding member of the Southern California Photo Dealer’s Guild (SCPDG), served on the board of directors for many years and elected president twice. He was inducted into the SCPDG Hall of Fame in 1990. Nationally, Peter served the Photo Marketing Association International (PMAI) as Chairman of the Ethics Committee and as a member of the Education Committee. He was also a member of the board of the Photographic Research Organization (PRO).

Following graduation from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he was a member of the University Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra (trombone) and the Madison Civic Symphony, Peter was drafted into the army and became a member of the 1st Infantry Division Band. After military service Peter attended Brooks’ Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara. While studying at Brooks he was a member of the Santa Barbara Symphony. After graduation, in 1962, he moved to Ventura, opened Jaffe’s Camera and joined the Ventura County Symphony (VCS) for three years. He became active on the board of directors serving as treasurer and then president for several years. He remained on the board until just before the merger with the Thousand Oaks Orchestra. He fully supported the merger that created the fully professional New West Symphony Orchestra.

Peter was most proud of the conceptualization of a new statewide organization in 1970, now known as the Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO), initially intended to support small and medium sized community orchestras. The seeds for this organization were planted at a meeting organized by him and sponsored by the VCS in Ventura. Representatives from 15 orchestras were in attendance. Today, the ACSO has grown to include virtually every orchestra, both large and small, in California including the LA Philharmonic.

He was active for many years with American Field Service (AFS) and hosted, with his family, a number of exchange students for periods of up to one year. He and his wife, Martha, traveled extensively to exciting and exotic locations where he used his knowledge of photography to capture and relive those travels.

Upon his death Peter was a musician with the Ventura County Concert Band for over 25 years and the Ventura Klezmer Band for 18 years.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Martha, children; Cheryl (Dan), David (Lisa) and Robert (Yasmin) and his grandchildren, Aaron, Ilan, Madison, Garrett, Elia, and Benjamin.

Services will be held Sunday, December 6 at 11 am at Temple Beth Torah, Ventura.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Beth Torah, 7620 Foothill Rd. Ventura, 93004 or the Rubicon Theater, 1006 E. Main St. Ventura, 93001 or the New West Symphony 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, 91362.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura.