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JOHN SELEPEC Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for JOHN SELEPEC
Sponsored by Sabra Elmore Selepec.
terry gruber
June 19, 2023
John we at Gruber Photographers miss you very much. I think of you often and Sabra same goes for you.
Terry Maike Theo
Chris Selepec Comer
June 19, 2022
My artistically gifted granddaughter just graduated from high school. I gave her copies of stunning (and treasured) pencil sketches my Papa John had done decades ago-to let her know she came by her talent naturally, even though she´d never met him.
terry gruber
June 18, 2022
Remember Jon his spirit and love of people.
Happy day in Prospect Park. Early 1950s.
Christine Comer
September 25, 2012
My Papa John and I reconnected several decades after and many miles west of my Park Slope childhood. Every moment from that point on was a gift. An opportunity to introduce my father to his granddaughter . . . to tell him all about his two grandsons . . . and share photos of his three great-grandchildren. An opportunity to introduce him to my wonderful husband, and to listen in on their political discussions (fortunately, they agreed most of the time). And an opportunity to get to know Papa John's wonderful wife, Sabra. Most important of all, it was my chance to experience and take pride in the talented, smart, handsome, outspoken force of nature who was my father. I wish we'd had longer but I will be forever grateful for the time I had with him. I posted similar sentiments shortly after he died but they appear to have vanished. I wanted to be sure my words --- that Papa John was loved and is dearly missed by his daughter and son-in-law --- were among those of his many family members, friends and colleagues.
Tony Turan
September 23, 2012
I am so saddened from the death of John. He was such a nice man. I was out of the country and I just heard about it. May God Bless John.
Tony-Crown Fine Art- NYC
Susan Campbell
September 23, 2012
We extend our deepest sympathy on the death of our beloved wonderful photographer, John. We will treasure the photographic memories he has left us.
Susan Campbell for The Partners of Hughes, Hubbard & Reed, LLP
Robert &Rita Rothman
September 23, 2012
No sad "sympathy" for John. We want to remember him dancing and charming the ladies. It was never difficult to talk to John when he came to Robert's dental office. He loved to talk and had so many fun stories. The difficult part is missing him. John was a powerful presence. We're only sorry he willl miss the election! He loved an argument. John was a delight to have known.
Robert Rothman, DDS
Rita Rothman-Office Manager
September 23, 2012
Just heard the news of John's passing. Our prayers and love are with you.
Fran Abrams and Helen Jennings,
Friends from Roseland, in New York City
Karen Wagner
September 23, 2012
I was deeply sorry to hear of John's passing. Memories of our 32 year working relationship have come and are locked forever in his beautiful photographs of Juilliard's graduating classes.
With gratitude,
Karen Wagner
Vice-President of Academic Affairs
The Juilliard School
James Claro
September 23, 2012
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of John Selepec at The Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at 457 W. 51st St. on December 18th, 2012 at 12:10 PM. He was a good friend.
James Claro
Lois Costello-Glasser
September 23, 2012
I have made arrangements for 25 trees to be planted in his name in the Blackwater State Forest near Pensacola, Florida. When I was singing at Roseland, I had the privilege of meeting John and watching him dance and talk to everybody. He was like the Mayor of Roseland. He was a wonderful dancer and friend.
Lois Costello-now singing in Birmingham, Alabama
Carole Adrian
September 23, 2012
I was profoundly saddened to hear of the loss of John Selepec. He was so colorful and unique, and I'm so glad I had the privilege to know him.
Carole Adrian-Executive Secretary-Juilliard School
Donna Selepec-Perriello
September 20, 2012
Dear Sabra and Dear Friends of John.
I never physically met Uncle John, We spoke by phone and as I read all of the testiments of his life/love I feel that I knew him very well. I just received a few pictures of him from Aunt Sabra and I see my Father (Johns Brother Mike). Uncle John was so comforting to talk to when my Dad passed and I am assured that it was my Dad that was there to escort Uncle John to heaven. Knowning my dad and his stories of Uncle John, they probably stopped at a pool hall on their way to Heaven. I truly miss speaking to him on the phone but I am grateful that I did talk to him and got to know him a little bit better. I am sure that my Dad and Uncle John have picked up where they left off those many years ago. God bless everyone and thank you for all your kind words.
Will Blanchard
September 11, 2012
I am so saddened I did not visit John enough this previous year. He had such an influence on me and I cherish the footage I took of him for my graduation thesis. It was my pleasure to hear his great stories, (he was a gifted storyteller), and even work for him as a photographer's assistant. His passion for what he loved in life, especially photography and dancing, inspired me to love my artform of film more. I am so blessed that I came to know him and his influential life. I will always have the print of the Central Park Anti-Nuke Demonstration he named, "Humanity" (700,000 in attendance) hanging anywhere I live. I will continue bragging about knowing John, the great man whose life and passion make that photo seem small in comparison.
Will Blanchard-NYU Graduate in Film Making
Judy Petardi
September 11, 2012
I am so saddened to hear of John's passing.I have so many fond memories of him and his taking all of the "Taxi Dancers" at Roseland Ballroom. Whenever I think of him and that day and how he would line us all up and pose us just the way he envisioned it should be. He made us all feel like we were "stars!" I will always think of John with a warm heart.
Judy Petardi- The Marc Ballroom-NYc
Joni DiFranco
September 11, 2012
John was a good person with a good heart. He will be missed by many. I will be having a tree planted in Israel in his memory
Don Lubinger
September 11, 2012
Very sorry to hear of John's passing.He was a great guy. Really enjoyed my over the phone long distance relationship with him. The autographed ball with Cleveland players on it that he donated sponsored a contest for our newspaper. We received 600 essays about their best day at a Cleveland Indian's baseball game. The winner was a Sergeant who is still serving in Afghanistan. It was a real special sumer for us from a great person.
Don Lubinger-Sports Reporter-Cleveland Plain Dealer
Frances McKiernan
September 10, 2012
I have enrolled John in the Passionist Spiritual Enrollment where he will share perpetually in the daily Masses, prayers, sacrifices and good works of the Passionist Community.
Mary Tomaselli
September 10, 2012
Between John, Irving and the photographic teams, we have been spoiled by your excellent service all these years. Bellevue Nurses Association
Mike Whelan
September 10, 2012
So sorry to hear about John's death. He was a lovely man with a great photographic eye. I and our society are truly sorry for the loss. He was a fixture at our dinners and well liked by all. We will miss him.
Mike Whelan & The Baker Street Irregulars
Zach Sherwood
August 1, 2012
Grandpa John was a very classy, composed, and well-respected individual. I loved the times I was able to spend with him. I think the one memory that sticks out in my mind is when we (my parents, myself, and Grandma Sabra and Grandpa John) went the the fancy Italian restaurant just down the street. Long story short, at the end of the meal, Grandpa John was signing the bill, when I happened to notice the tip he left the waiter. If my memory serves well, it was a $100 tip, just for the waiter. It dawned on me later that Grandpa John was a very charitable person, who was always on the lookout for good character. I am proud to call him my grandfather.
July 29, 2012
I've known John since I was 17 years old when he and my mother met. Wherever they met, I knew Roseland was where they fell in love. He quickly became the "New Yorker" I'd never forget. When I married a Coloradoan years later, I was worried how my cowboy-boot-clad husband would take my New-Yorker stepfather. But, there was an immediate attachment. John,Jayson,my step-father, was as much an outdoorsman, an adventurer, a frontiersman, a symbol of this great country as any man I've known. Fiercly loyal to his country and to his "new" family---he loved, protected and inspired my mother like no one could---he was a great figure of a man to my now-15-year-old son. John is unforgettable for being exactly who he was meant to be in this life. I will truly miss him but also remember his genuine love for life forever. -- Steph Sherwood
July 23, 2012
John Selepec - my friend, photographer, partner in my photo studio for more than 50 years. I cannot believe that he is now in heaven. He can never be replaced. Always knew how to solve a difficult problem. Great photographer. Always a smile never a frown. True thoughtful and kind. Wonderful memories left behind. We will all miss you each and every day. Irving Ives & Family
Charles Lallo Jr
July 22, 2012
Dear Sabra, Today my father informed me of John's passing. I was very much saddend to hear this. I know John for many years through my father and we loved and admired him very much. You and I met in my father's clothing store in Hoboken on one of John's visits. The last time I was with John was a chance meet. A freind of mine (Ersel Hickey) was receiving an award as he was inducted into the Rockabill Hall of Fame. His wish was for me to come along with him and lo and behold the photographer taking the photos happend to be John. He was as pleasantly shocked as I was. Only today I was looking at the photo John took of us and I was thinking of him. An hour later I had dinner with my father and he informed me of the sad news. I have other treasured photos John took of me in my "entertainment" hat. He was a fine man, an excellent human being and a true artist. Please except our deepest sympathy. (My father does not use a computer therefore it was my honor to leave this message). Knowing John was certainly one of lifes more beautiful experiences. Please be well. Thank you. Your friends from Hoboken, Charles Lallo Sr and Charles Lallo Jr
July 16, 2012
I met John (aka Jayson) when I had a milestone birthday and I wanted to capture one group shot of everyone attending by a Banquet Photographer. He met my mother and father, my wife, and my friends that night and he made a remarkable photograph that I look at daily. From that day forward in 2003 I took a keen interest in his technique. Not long after, I was helping on his jobs, ones that he had been shooting for 30 years straight. We ventured to the far reaches of Manhattan and outerboroughs photographing groups as diverse as steelworkers, autoworkers, lawyers, and fox hunters. He became my mentor, my raconteur, and provocateur. Soon I was borrowing his camera and shooting my own banquet photos at weddings and rehearsal dinners. We discovered that we came from the same city, and that I spent my youth at a country club in Export, Pa. only a tee shot from his family's farm. He told me stories of his boxing skills, his poolroom hustling, his biggest jobs, and his proudest accomplishment: his ballroom dancing. He was 81 when I met him and alas 90 when he died last month. During his last year he complained more about his legs, his heart, and the state of the photography business. He was proud to the end that there was no one in the world who could do what he did. Every time out he could walk into an empty ballroom set up the 12x20 camera in the perfect position pre-focus it and an hour later arrange and command 500 people to look at the camera, not blink not move, and take one shot and have them all in focus --- this was his crowning achievement.
When his heart failed him last month the vigorous man with opinions, enthusiasm, stories, and untold skills, left behind a beautiful wife, a protégé, and a million immortalized but unnamed faces in photographs who sat for the magician during his lifetime. For those of you who know what a banquet photo is or have grandparents who left behind a banquet photo that they were in, or are lucky enough to have posed for one, you share a special connection with Jayson. In the time it takes for 6 flashbulbs to ignite, peak, and expire, and the thousands of times Jayson did, it lie the shining seconds where he practiced his magic. Every time I shoot a banquet photo in the moment between the time I say “Open” and “Thank you we are done" I will think of John's brilliant life in a flash.
http://vimeo.com/18623681
Terry Germaine
July 13, 2012
The two of you are a tribute to love...that goes on through time..
Stuart Nasar
July 13, 2012
Dear Sabra, Jason was a great man, friendly and wise to all. He will be missed.
Stuart from the gallery
tom yanul
July 6, 2012
A photographer whose likes will not again be seen. My pleasure to have known him
July 5, 2012
Dear Sabra, Thank you for the note on Johns' passing. I met John in the late 60's and last talked with him about a year ago....Yes, we all will miss him.
John Chominsky (Pro Lab)
Hildur Rós Vilhelmsdóttir
June 30, 2012
Dear Sabra, I don´t remember my life without you and john in it. I miss him so much and all his jokes and me and you tricking him to go to the kitchen and me hiding in your bedroom and run to steel his chair and eventually ending with him just giving me the chair and buying a new one for him self:)
You guys gave me my first bike, and I still have it and my younger sister uses it now. I am surprised that me and my brother did not get you bankrupt with all the popsicles we ate. It is not going to be the same going to New York without John there to visit, but at least you are there. Miss you so much and hope you are doing well Sabra under the circumstances, I will try my best to get to New York and see you as soon as possible. Love you so much, see you soon.
Best wishes, Hildur Rós
June 29, 2012
Dear Sabra, we are all so sorry to hear that our dear friend, John, has past away. He was very special to us and we will miss him dearly. New York will not be the same without him punching Thorstein in the nose or Hildur telling him jokes and trying to take his chair:) To you, our lovely Sabra, we send lots of hugs and kisses and hope that John´s memory will warm your heart and help you through the grieve that his departure has brought upon you.
Our best wishes,
Anna, Villi, Hildur, Thorsteinn, Thórey, Andri, grandma Begga and Grandpa Heiddi.
June 29, 2012
We will miss Jason and his stories of all the pictures that he crafted. My favorite is the one in Central Park. All of our love from your Joplin family. Love, Kent
June 28, 2012
Dear Sabra, I am so sorry to hear about your husband. Please know the Blanchard Family is thinking about you. Love, Ellen
The Elmore Family
June 26, 2012
We're going to miss John. I'm glad the kids got a chance to know him. I will certainly miss all the sports talk. He was quite knowledgeable about sports especially football. I hope he's reunited with my dog Alice. John was the only male she never tried to bite. She was quite taken with him-as we all were.
Alex CityRepro Photos
June 26, 2012
Dearest Family of Jayson,
I join with so many others who knew John in offering our deepest sympathy on his passing. Although it is little consolation at this sad time, it should be of some satisfaction to know that in his passing you can celebrate the end of a very long and productive life.
The measure of a life well-lived is not in how much money one has or what possessions they have accumulated, but rather through the lives they touched and the sorrow they leave behind. If the outpouring of sympathy on his loss is any indication, and it most certainly is, you can proudly and confidently say that his indeed was a life well-lived.
May you find peace and comfort in knowing that his loss is felt by all who knew and loved him.
John you was a great person and always good friend to me, you will be never forgotten
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