Andrew J. Whiting

On December 6, 2024, Andrew Joseph Whiting passed away in Sewell, New Jersey. Andrew was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1931. As the retired in-house manager of RCA/GE/Lockheed Martin's photographic studio and laboratory in Moorestown/Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Andrew serviced a wide variety of industrial photographic needs during his 35 years. Andrew provided photographic coverage of missile firings from Naval ships on sea trials, launchings, commissionings, and christenings of naval ships. One of the highlights of his career was providing complete photographic coverage of the development effort on the U.S. Navy's AEGIS Combat System, now operational at sea.
As a photographer, Andrew was essentially self-taught. His early training was almost exclusively in commercial art, with only a single crash course in photography. Andrew studied at Dobbins Vocational-Technical High School and later at the Hussian School of Art where he majored in painting and illustration. His career in art spanned 17 years, ranging from work in Philadelphia advertising agencies to assignments as an artist/illustrator at RCA, Camden New Jersey, prior to coming to the Moorestown, New Jersey location.
Andrew's interest in photography was also growing during this period, emerging in the form of free-lance work for advertising and modeling agencies. The real Impetus for this change came from photographic coverage of Philadelphia's Society Hill Playhouse productions over a five year period. It was in this creative environment that he explored and learned new approaches to composition, lighting, movement, rhythm, impact, design and timing the-"decisive moment."
Since 1975, Andrews been a member of the Society of Professional Photographers of Delaware Valley, and has won many awards. In 1981, he received four awards in the Society's annual competition, including two best-in-show trophies. This marked the second time in the Society's 60 year history that one photographer has won in both color and black and white categories.
In 1982, his bow shot of the USS Ticonderoga, entitled "Finishing Touches," won three awards: the Delaware Valley Society award, a special prize in the U.S. Naval lnstitute's annual photographic contest, and first prize in the glamorizing industry category of Industrial Photograph's annual competition. Also, his "Manhattan After Dark" took first prize in the architectural/engineering category, giving two first prizes of the four awarded in this prestigious competition.
In later years, as he was preparing to retire, he moved into the digital camera era. He continued to explore and experiment in this area up to the end.
Survivors include his (wife) Dr. Marcia Ashhurst-Whiting, his daughters-Gina Whiting-Iseley, Sheila Whiting-Yates, and Andrea Whiting-Hackett, stepsons, Albert Blackshear Sr. (Danielle) and Karim Mohammed (Deborah), and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Family and friends are welcome to attend his viewing Friday, December 13th 9:00 – 10:00 AM at the Egizi Funeral Home, 119 Ganttown Rd., Washington Township. Funeral service 10:00 AM. Interment Hillcrest Memorial Park, Washington Township.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Andrew's memory may be made to The American Diabetes Association or The National Kidney Foundation.
"A Life Well Lived Is Worth Remembering"