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John Atadan Obituary
John N. Atadan, age 57, of Wilmington, DE, passed away on October 14, 2013.
Born in Salem, NJ, John was raised in Wilmington and graduated from Brandywine High School. As a youth he was president of the Unitarian Church's LRY Group.
A brilliant photographer and dark room artist, John won Delaware's State Art Council Award in photography with his dark room art which was characterized by a graceful avant-garde sensibility and edgy-ness.
People loved john for his gentleness, kindness, and incredibly original sense of humor. John loved 60s and 70s rock music. His favorite artists were Yes, Peter Gabriel, and Neil Young.
John was selfless with his constant loving help for his parents with whom he lived and loved tremendously as they loved him. Never hesitating to help with any task asked of him, his mother and father appreciated him unimaginably. He checked on his father every night.
Friends of John always had a special place for him in their hearts. They appreciated his warm presence and how he would make them laugh and think like no one else could.
He is survived by his parents, Erdem and Nevin Atadan, and his brothers and sisters: Suzan Cerceo, Selma Jones, Denis Atadan, and David Atadan. John will be missed tremendously.
Services will be held on Saturday, October 19th at 10:30 am at the McCRERY & HARRA Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803. The viewing will begin at 9:30am. Interment will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in John's name to American Diabetes Association, 100 West 10TH ST. Suite 1002 Wilm, DE 19801.
www.mccreryandharra.com
478.2204
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Memories and Condolences
for John Atadan
Sponsored by John's Loving Family..
May 8, 2015
Hi All,
I finally finished Johns photography and darkroom art website. It's really great to see all his work together in one place. Outside of all his photographic art work there are many pictures of his friends from that era in Delaware. If you know anything about the photos let me know. I don't recognize many people it would be great to know who they are. Anyway, John was brilliant - no other word. I hope you all enjoy it- the address is atadanart.com (if for some reason they don't publish this web address please just search his name or the website name "The Photography and Darkroom Art of John N Atadan".
Take care all,
Denis Atadan
David
October 14, 2014
One year later... John you are missed so very much. May God keep you close until we see you again.
Nancy Willing
November 10, 2013
Denis, I don't have your email address but ask that you contact me through Fran when the website and other projects you all are creating for John are ready for prime time. I had such a brief look at his art work it was painful to have to walk away. Thank everyone for making sure it will be made available for us all to visit to our hearts content.
Fran Willing
November 6, 2013
i feel so lucky to have experienced his glinting radiance, his sweetness.
all love to the family.
Denis Atadan
November 4, 2013
Dear Friends of John's,
Thank you so much for all the kind words and memories of my brother John. It really means a tremendous amount to all of us in the family. I wanted to mention a few things to you all.
First, the service we had for John was wonderful. We put together a full retrospective of his still unbelievably fresh and vibrant photography. I believe it was the 1st time I had looked at all of works as a whole and it struck me how amazing it was how he could create works of such sophistication, emotion and imagination and with such original technical prowess while effortlessly jumping from style to style. The images, as some of my friends have said, have stuck in their heads for decades. For those that would like to see his work again we intend on putting up a website with all his works- but more on that later.
I hung out with John a lot and new his musical tastes inside out and for the service put together a cd that I thought he would put together. All the music played was stuff I could hear him singing or cranking up the stereo to. And in John's fashion I made sure that most of the lyrics he would approve of for the occasion- Songs like Magical Mystery Tour and Bowies Changes made the list-
The little remembrance card had a picture of John smiling and looking somewhat mischievous- on back was a quote from Yes "There's a time and the time is now and it's right for me, it's right for me and time is now. There's a word and the word is love and it's right for me, it's right for me and word is love."
His nephew, Tommy, my brother David's son, conducted the service and did it sensitively and graciously. Really impressive for a 21 year old kid. Family and friends then all spoke.
In recent years my parents as they have gotten older depended on John for many many things. When our family Doctor when asked about how John was doing a few months back my father said "He does everything for us." and til the end John still had his amazing spirit- still spun out fantastically original turns of phrase and had his amazing sense of humor. And for the life of me I could never figure out how he'd come up with stuff that was so funny - I mean most people I can figure out how they'd come up with with a quip or witticism- it would be transparent to me. -but with John I'd be laughing and not being able to figure out where he'd get this stuff from. but i'm not telling you guys anything you don't know already.
And I feel obligated to let you all know that as far as i can make out from people I've talked to John woke up that Monday , rode his bike through the beautiful warm fall morning down the street to the 7-11, where some of his best friends worked, bought a large blueberry coffee came home got about a 3rd of the way through the cup and then passed away almost instantly from a massive heart attack. The music he loved right next to him and his camera and all his photographic slides right by his side.
John, was a fantastic artist amongst the many things that made him remarkable.
We intend on putting up a website with all his work on it. My brother David, has a great company that does things just like this so the website should be great. Not only will it have images of his photographs but I plan on publishing a book i found that John wrote on his methodology and techniques he developed to create darkroom art in his "Ultra Creativism" style. Reading through it I'm just struck by his immense passion, enthusiasm, sheer intelligence and unique invention that he had for this art-form that was uniquely his own. What he did should not be lost.
I am hoping that all of you still visiting this guestbook will send me an e-mail with your address so that when we get it up I can send you all a link and hopefully it will get passed on and on and on. I would honestly really love to hear from any and all of you.
Finally, I want to thank you all for being John's friends. I believe that that's what John valued most in life and you all made his life happier for it.
Peace and Love to all of you,
Denis Atadan
Greta Nuernberger
October 24, 2013
I first met John as he was taking that great big old station funned wagon he had painted with neon orange spray paint "Studebaker Hawk & his Honolulu fruit band." John added drawings of various tropical fruits and ukele pictures I think. Exemplified his wonderful creative spirit. A truly dear poetic soul. We are forever richer for having known you John. Your shoes remain empty.
With Mom and Dad
David Atadan
October 21, 2013
Early Teenage Years
David Atadan
October 21, 2013
John's Art 2
David Atadan
October 21, 2013
John's Art
David Atadan
October 21, 2013
David Atadan
October 21, 2013
Andrew Conover
October 21, 2013
John introduced me to the fine art of taping back in the day (still have a few of his MaxUD bookleg cassettes in the collection). Fond memories of the many good listening sessions on his quad and the ice cream cone he wore to launch the worship service. Rest in peace John.
Terry Franklin
October 21, 2013
I didn't know John all that well, when we first became roommates in '74. We quickly became friend however. He was probably my best friend at that point in my life. Young and hopeful, we had lots of fun and adventures. When things got difficult for me, he was a source of support and comfort.
Sigrid Kulkowitz
October 20, 2013
Of the many memories I have of John, I am thinking of the Christmas party he had on July 4th. What a John thing to do! So creative, so fun. We've been out of touch for a long time, but the love is still strong and there.
My condolences to John's family.
Ramona Dayton
October 20, 2013
I have many happy memories of John. All of my photos of him show such big smiles, and I'll always remember my time spent with him in Cherry Hill. I am so saddened by this loss. My loves goes out to family and friends.
Valeri Jones (Stapel)
October 20, 2013
I will always remember his smile, his humor and his music. It's been a long time since I've seen him, but I'll miss him all the same. So long, old friend.
Ben Alexander
October 20, 2013
When I first met John in Amherst in the mid-70's we became instant friends, with that rare sense that we had known each other for years. Later as housemates we shared an enthusiasm for music and crazy pranks! John features prominently in several of my favorite stories and memories from that time. He will be missed.
John Rosett
October 20, 2013
So sorry to hear about John's passing. I have many wonderful memories of the adventures we shared. John introduced me to music that has shaped my musical career to this day.
Wendell Finner
October 20, 2013
John, whenever I hear your name I see your smile. Keep smiling, friend. The world is darker without your light.
Chris Blaisdell
October 20, 2013
John & I were great friends and occasional housemates through the late '70's. He was bright, funny and a really wonderful friend. We lost touch and I hadn't seen him for many years... I will miss him greatly.
Nancy Dieckmann Matheny
October 20, 2013
Selma, I am so sorry for your loss. Lots have time has passed since our days at The Academy of the Dance, but I can picture you as if it were yesterday. This is a tough one. I am thinking of you and all of your family during these rough days.
Parva (Michael) Zwerin
October 19, 2013
Even though many years have past since last seeing John, he's always had a special place in my heart. I'll always remember him as a great friend. Rest in peace old pal.
Mike and Bette Talley
October 19, 2013
We both have such fond memories of John. We'll hold those memories close. Our deepest condolences to the family.
Christopher Whittle
October 19, 2013
John was the best man at my wedding and he was and always will be the best man.
Mark Peoples
October 18, 2013
Rest in peace, John. I think I speak for all your BHS classmates who remember you fondly.
John Greene
October 18, 2013
I didn't know Jihn very well, but he had a gentle soul and a free spirit...
Meg Watson
October 18, 2013
John was a huge part of my life growing up and I will NEVER forget him. He most definitly holds a special place in my heart...and stands on hills of long forgotten yesterdays. Rest in peace, John. My deepest sympathies to his family, and I am sorry I can't be there to say goodbye in person.
Crystal Segway (Gregory)
October 18, 2013
You will be missed. Sad day for LRYers all over the country
Linda Collat Joy
October 18, 2013
From LRY days, fond memories of John and his sense of humor!
Family
David
October 17, 2013
With his nephew Dan
David
October 17, 2013
Special moments
David
October 17, 2013
John we all love
David
October 17, 2013
He use to be avant garde but recent photographs were just about beauty it seemed
David
October 17, 2013
Birthday John
David
October 17, 2013
At Brandywine Nature Center
David
October 17, 2013
Erica West (Goldenberg)
October 17, 2013
Yes, John and the Vega, and the other Vega. His camera, his hats, his awesome stereo systems, his guitar, his poetry and songs, his humor, kindness and love.
Dear John, may you rest in peace, love and the heart of the sunrise.
Dear Family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Kathy Lyons Fleming
October 17, 2013
Dear Sue and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. May your memories be like roses in December...so sweet and precious. Thinking of you at this sad time,Kathy Lyons Fleming
Nancy Willing
October 17, 2013
I so fondly remember the larger-than-life John I used to know in the seventies and his talents behind the camera. Sincere condolences to the Atadan family for their loss.
David
October 16, 2013
Rest with God John. We miss you more than you would have ever known. Your loving brother.
John in his natural state :)
David
October 16, 2013
October 16, 2013
John and the Vega.
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