Ernest Peter Nufrio

ERNEST P. NUFRIO

Ernest Peter Nufrio, 86, formerly of Rockaway, New Jersey and

Clermont, Florida passed away peacefully on Monday, September 2, 2014 at

the Celebration Hospital in Florida. Ernest is survived by his wife

Lorraine of 60 years, sons David Nufrio and Marc Nufrio, daughter Caryn

[Eric] Nufrio Lerman, and loving grandchildren Edward and Andrew Nufrio,

Ryan Nufrio, Patrice and Michael Chiaramonte, and many nieces, nephews

and extended family. Ernest was a loving father, husband, uncle,

grandfather, and a true friend to all he met and encountered on life's

journey.

Born June 2nd, 1928 in Newark, New Jersey, early boyhood

passions included flying model airplanes and working at the local movie

theater. Graduating Central High School in Newark, he enlisted in the

U.S. Marine Corps serving in the Second World War. Achieving the rank

of Corporal, his four year tour took him to China and the Pacific,

eventually returning to the Brooklyn Navy Yard where he served as a

bugler. At the end of military service, Ernest returned to New Jersey

attending Seton Hall University, finishing with a Bachelor of Science

degree in Mathematics. Marrying his sweetheart, Lorraine who lived

across the street in Newark, Ernest lived life to the fullest, working

hard and having fun upon moving to Millburn, New Jersey. While working

at Public Service Electric and Gas Company, the lure of photography,

then just a hobby, took hold, and Ernest's creativity and talents

would blossom into an eminent professional career that would last for

more than 60 years.

Initially working out of his home in 1953, he began with black

and white photography, and often times used the bathtub in the family

bathroom as a print washer. Self taught, he worked for years as a

candid man with various studios, and thereafter began more formal

studies at the New York School of Photography and Germaine School of

Photography in New York. He completed his photographic education at the

prestigious Winona School of Photography in Indiana. Ernest studied

classical portraiture under internationally renowned Master Photographer

Joseph Zeltsman.

Opening his own studio in 1970 as Photography by Ernest in West

Orange, Ernest quickly gained a reputation as maverick, unafraid to try

innovative equipment or techniques. Adding a full in house color lab,

one of the first major studios to do so, he took control of the entire

photographic process. Working with family and many other skilled

individuals, who were both co workers and dear friends, and with his

sons and eventually his grandson's talents, he shaped one of the

largest family owned event photography businesses in New Jersey, still

operating today as Ernest Studios. Participating with the Lions Club and

Rotary, Ernest contributed charitably to improve others lives, and many

annual spaghetti dinners and other functions were attended. Coaching

basketball for his children or supporting other youth sports, it seemed

there was always an Ernest sponsored league playing somewhere!

Active with the national and state Professional

Photographers Association, Ernest always maintained the highest

standards and served as a Past President, State Delegate, and State

Print Chairman which fostered numerous professional and lifelong

friendships. Accepting Court of Honor awards and blue ribbon

recognition, he captured subjects locally or on photographic treks

through Europe and North America. Ernest mentored, exchanged ideas and

frequently influenced numerous other photographers to make them better

with their craft. Challenges in diverse settings took Ernest to

locations from northern Alaska to photograph a wedding, to the Jersey

Shore for a family portrait. The work helped validate Ernest's

industry reputation, the ability to precisely and creatively photograph

a commercial, candid, or portrait project, calmly and in control, making

clients feel at ease anywhere, anytime, while producing memorable

images!

Accordingly, Associate Fellow and Full Fellow of Photography

degrees, the Professional Photographer National Award, and Mr.

Professional Photographer of the Year Award were bestowed by his

contemporaries. Significantly, Ernest himself photographed numerous

personalities and sports figures including John D. Rockerfeller, former

Presidents Ronald Regan, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford,

comedian Henny Youngman, media personality Regis Philbin, hockey legend

Slava Fetisov and the Stanley Cup, and childhood idol and baseball great

Yogi Berra. Historically he produced the Honorable Sylvia Pressler's

judicial portrait on location in Hackensack, a digital image and first

of its kind, creating a dignified lifelike representation which hangs at

the Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton, New Jersey. Part historian, part

artist, what others did not often see, Ernest captured with creative

vision, all while quietly moving in and out of the background of

people's lives.

Ernest remained current with trends into the digital age, while

forging timeless personal photographs for thousands of celebrants and

clients. With his wife of over 60 years, Lorraine, a former school

teacher and studio manager at his side, they maintained a philosophy to

provide affordable photographic services, now to many second and third

generation returning customers. Although his profession in sorts

remained his hobby, when he had time he enjoyed golfing with friends,

reading, talking politics, watching sports, be it Yankee baseball,

football or ice hockey; yearly trips to Disney or spending time in

Florida relaxing. Being with his beloved family and grandchildren

surrounded by friends and even pets was his favorite and always made him

smile, be it holidays, sporting events, a meal, activities or any family

milestones which brought him true joy and provided an escape from being

behind the lens.

A graveside service is planned for Monday, September 8th, 2014

with visitation at 11 am and a 12 noon graveside service at the Woodlawn

Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha,

Florida 34734 [www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com] Ernest will be laid to

rest with full military honors. An additional future memorial service

and repast with family and friends will take place in New Jersey at a

later date and time to celebrate Ernest and his life.

