Michael V. Sciullo, Sr.

Michael V. Sciullo, Sr. 91,of Brigantine, passed away on January 20, 2017 at Meadowview in Northfield. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa and moved to Atlantic City as a youngster. He received his first camera at the age of 10, for selling the most Philadelphia Bulletin newspapers. That prized possession was the start of a lifetime commitment to photography. While attending Atlantic City High School he became a sports photographer. In 1941, WW II began, and many seniors in school were enlisting into the Army, he was 16 years old and not of age for the Army or Navy. He decided to sign up with the Army Engineers as a civilian employee, working on a sea going dredge. He worked there to get his required license and signed on to a Merchant Marine tanker. Upon turning 18 he was drafted into the Army, where he was sent to radio school to learn Morse code. Radio School was part of the Signal Corp. and covered all types of communications; radio, teletype, signal lights and photography. After his training, he was sent to a photographic unit and assigned to the 10th Army Signal Service Battalion on the Island of Okinawa in the South Pacific. His assignment was with the 10th Army photo lab. Since his commanding officer and the other men in the unit had no knowledge of photography, he was in charge of the entire unit, teaching the other men how to use the equipment. Mike developed and printed his photos in a makeshift Army lab. Working in this unit provided him the opportunity to travel and record many historical events. Upon his completion and honorable discharge from the Army, in May 1946, he continued in photography and opened his own retail business with a partner on Atlantic Ave, in Atlantic City known as Mike and Sol's Photo Shop. At the time, it was the only complete camera shop and processing lab offering 8 hour black and white developing and printing service. Twenty years later, in 1972, he built his own store on Albany Ave in Atlantic City, with a much larger lab and retail store containing many more services and know known as Atlantic Photo Center. Shortly thereafter, he installed one hour color processing equipment, which proved to be a great success and convenience to the customers. He ran all phased of the business including taking aerial photos , as he has been a private pilot, since 1965, and owned his own airplane. Mike is also a quad amputee this happened to him 24 years ago due to an intestinal infection causing septic shock. As a result, he had to have both of his hands and legs amputated. After an amazing recovery and a spirit that wouldn't quit, he returned to work. Mike was a very talented photographer and technician, and one of the first in the area to institute digital photography, electronic imaging, giclee' prints and restoration into his photo business. He taught himself the computer and equipment and began producing prints. Quite a remarkable achievement for an amputee. Mike became a volunteer counselor, and began the amputee support group at Bacharach- Rehab in Pomona, which he conducted for 15 yrs. He was an inspiration to all who knew and met him, with his wonderful disposition and positive attitude. He also became a certified peer mentor by the Amputee Coalition of America . Mike was also chairman of the Atlantic County Veterans Advisor Board for several years and also chairman of Atlantic County Disable Citizens Advisory Board. Mike has been honored by the Kiwanis, Lions, and Rotary Club and was the recipient of the Four Chaplins Award for outstanding courage, the Vietnam Veterans Advocate Award, the Russ Berrie Award for making a difference , and also the Donald Sykes Award for an outstanding volunteer with a disability. While in the shop, Mike found some boxes of film negatives that he had kept after WW II, while working as an Army photographer. Being around the photo shop for decades, he thought they may have been damaged. Upon looking at the negatives, they were perfectly fine and he realized he history in his midst. Thus began the basis for his book "Okinawa 1944-1945" The Final Battle of WWII, which contains over 100 historic photos. His book was published in May 2008, and is in all of the Atlantic County Libraries and the Library of Congress in Washington. Mike was a member of the DAV, Master Mason Keystone Lodge #153, and the last charter member of the AC Hanger and former Governor, Key Man, and Beam Man of the Ancient and Secret Order of Quiet Birdmen (QB). He is survived by his brother Franklin (Lois), Sciullo, brother-in-law John Keating Sr, and longtime business associate and devoted best friend Marlene Armstrong and special friend, Joan Corbett and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife, Marjorie and son Michael Jr, brother Quinton Sciullo, Caroline Scullin, Doris Keating and Barbara Hurst. Visitation will be at Jeffries and Keates Funeral Home Tilton Rd and Infield Ave, Northfield, Thursday January 26th 2017 from 12PM to 2PM. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the DAV, American Legion or charity of your choice. To leave condolences, please visit www.jeffries and keates.com