John Pantalone, founder of World Wide Racing Photos, the track photographer at Harrah’s Philadelphia and Freehold Raceway and previously for most of the Delaware Valley racetracks, passed away on Friday morning (July 5) at age 76 after a gradually-debilitating illness.
Pantalone graduated South Philadelphia High School and received further training in electrical engineering through ROTC. He was laid off at the Boeing aircraft manufacturing plant in suburban Philadelphia in 1972, and then began a photography business with a friend. one of his first clients was Liberty Bell Park, which led to the development of World Wide Racing Photos, which he operated with his beloved wife Pat, who survives.
Pantalone’s World Wide Racing Photos was the track photographer at Brandywine, Liberty Bell, Garden State, Freehold Raceway and Harrah’s Philadelphia. The firm acquired a reputation for quick and quality development and production of track photography, to the point that at one point World Wide Racing Photos processed the photography for a dozen racetracks, including as far away as Golden Bear Raceway in Sacramento, Calif.
World Wide Racing Photos and Pantalone were at the forefront of several of the innovative changeovers in the racetrack photography industry through the years: the shifting from black and white to colour photography, and the change from film to digital photography being the two foremost examples. John’s innovative mind brought about the start of the many of the oversize tribute photos that owners purchased to mark especially big wins with their horses. He and his firm were known for timely and courteous service, always willing to go the extra mile for their clients.
In 1988 World Wide Racing Photos received a Nike Photo Award for a special effects photo taken at Garden State Park.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday (July 9) from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Terranova Funeral Home – Haddon Heights, 402 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights NJ, followed by an 11 a.m. Funeral Mass at Saint Rose of Lima Church, 4th Avenue & Kings Highway, Haddon Heights NJ, with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery following.
Additional details can be found at the Terranova Funeral Home website at terranovafuneralhome.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the friends and family of John Pantalone.
(PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)