This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Kondo, DeLong, Kneeppel Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.niagara/3074/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Obituary for Theodore T. Kondo Niagara Falls Gazette Friday, November 29, 1963, front page, photo included "THEODORE T. KONDO Noted Figure in Portrait Studies Dies A distinguished portrait photographer here for 43 years, Theodore T. Kondo, 75, of 1120 Main St., died Thursday (Nov. 28, 1963) at home. Mr. Kondo had been in and out of the hospital for two months. A Native of Japan, he studied at the Okayama College of Commerce there before coming to this country to the University of Washington to study medicine. A photographer interested him in that work and he was graduated from Illinois College of Photography, Effingham, Ill. in 1914. He opened a studio in Oil City, PA. In 1917 he married Mary LeVont DeLong, of Franklin, Pa., and the couple visited this city on the honeymoon. Three years later, in 1920, he opened a studio here at 108 Falls St. In 1937 he moved his studio to Main Street. GIVEN 20 AWARDS He was the recipient of some 20 awards from the Professional Photographers of America, of which he was a member for 45 years. Included in the awards was its bronze medal. In 1962 he was awarded its degree of master of photography. He was a member also of the Professional Portrait Photographers of America for 50 years and of the Professional Photographers of New York and was a life member of the State Society of Commercial Photographers. He was president of the Buffalo-Niagara Section of the Professional Photographers Association 1950-52. As a member of the state society's executive council he promoted the high ethical standards the society requires of its members. JUDGED CONTESTS He served as judge in many contests here, including Niagara Falls Camera Club, Christmas lighting and beauty contests. Through the years the native of Japan expressed to friends his "humble pride" of his citizenship in the United States. He was naturalized about 1945. He was an elder in the Pierce Avenue Presbyterian Church. Surviving are his wife, Mary Kondo; a daughter Mrs. Harold Kneeppel of Rochester, and three grandchildren. The service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Otto Rendanz Funeral Home. Rev. Dr. A. Ferman Kearney, minister if Pierce Avenue Church, will officiate. Pall bearers will be elders of the church. Burial will be in the Riverdale Cemetery." This was posted on the same date in the death notice section of the paper: "KONDO - Kondo suddenly in this city November 28th 1963, Theodore T. Kondo age 75 of 1120 Main St., husband of Mary, and father of Mrs. Harold (Ruth) Kneeppel of Rochester N.Y. , also survived by 3 grandchildren: Theodore C., Suzette and Timothy Kneeppel. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. from Otto Rendanz Funeral Home Inc., Michigan and 10th. Rev A. Ferman Kearney D.D. officiating. Interment Riverdale Cemetery."