Obituaries
Frank S. Errigo, 97
January 08, 2018
One of Lancaster’s most prominent local and national photographers has died. Frank S. Errigo, 97, passed away January 8, 2018 at Heart of Lancaster Hospital, Lititz, PA after a brief bout with the flu and pneumonia. Born March 27, 1920 in Curwensville, PA. He was the son of the late Joseph Errigo and the late Maria Creonte Errigo. He was the husband of Anna M. Errigo with whom he celebrated 72 years of marriage.
He attended Franklin and Marshall College and then enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1940 at age 19. He served in the European Theatre as a World War II combat photographer who followed Patton across Sicily. participated in the Landing at Anzio, the Battle of Monte Cassino and the Liberation of Rome.
Frank Errigo’s career as a photo-journalist and commercial set photographer spans six decades from 1941 to 2000. He is one of the two most respected and prolific color photographers of the Second World War.
Born to immigrant Italians in the mining town of Curwensville, PA, Errigo was the youngest boy in a family of nine children. He was thunderstruck as an adolescent by images of the 1899 Johnstown Flood. From the age of thirteen he dedicated himself to photo-journalism, working two jobs through the midst of the Great Depression. In 1936, he purchased a used 35mm Leica camera, along with developing supplies and a book that taught him the basics of his craft. By age 18, he was a precise, highly skilled amateur with a remarkable eye for light and composition.
Just past his twentieth birthday, Errigo presented himself at an Army recruitment center in Harrisburg, PA and told them of his desire to shoot photographs. He was enrolled with 22 professional photographers in the Photo School at the Army War College in Washington in September 1940.
There he was introduced to medium and large format cameras, as well as to a young photographer named Ardean Miller III, who had worked for Kodak before the war.
Errigo competed hard with his more experienced best friend, and when both men graduated in 1941, Errigo was at the top of the class with high honors and the rank of Technical Sergeant. He was assigned to the Army Pictorial Services, and by the time he was 21, he was shooting self-directed publicity assignments for the Pentagon.
From 1941 to 1945, Errigo had the assignment of traversing the country with the finest equipment available, shooting promotional color of young GIs preparing for war and then in combat. He was as thorough as he could be, routinely shooting every setup four times, in color with 4 x 5 Graflex, in color with his 8 x 10 Deardorff, and in color with his trusty 35mm Leica, and finally, once for good measure in black and white.
He had intimate access to personnel at the Pentagon, and at military bases across the U.S. He even spent time studying 16mm cinematography in Hollywood under the tutelage of Colonel Darryl F. Zanuck, living in a Sunset Boulevard hotel and being chauffeured to the Hal Roach Motion Picture Studios daily.
It was during this three-year period that Errigo, shooting Kodachrome at ASA 8, distinguished himself as a master of light and art direction. His painstaking setups transformed the mundane activities of olive drab GIs into remarkable poster-like emblems of American manhood which today stand as some of the most vivid images of the 1940’s ever made. More than 600 of his Kodachrome transparencies survive in excellent condition.
Errigo and Miller were separated late in in 1943, when each was assigned to lead a color photographic team to Europe. Miller went with Eisenhower to England, France and Germany, while Errigo sailed for Casablanca, then on to Algiers, Caserta, Sicily and eventually to Rome. He earned four battle stars assigned to the headquarters of the hard-charging Allied 5th Army. Amazingly, he carried his Deardorff and tripod through the surf under fire at Anzio. Both men routinely send back gripping images of the European Theater that blanketed newspapers nationwide, and appeared in the National Geographic, Collier’s, Liberty, Victory and the Saturday Evening Post, to name a few. His photographs of this period (many of which are in the National Archives) include many of the major names and military figures of the 1940s including Patton, Marshall, Bradley, Dietrich, DeGaulle and Mark Clark.
Following the Liberation of Rome in June 1944, Errigo achieved what was until then considered impossibility: a private photographic audience with Pope Pius XII. The 24-year-old American setup his Deardorff and took the world’s first color photographs of a Pontiff.
The Japanese surrender saved Errigo from reassignment to the Pacific, and he returned to the Pentagon, becoming the staff photographer for President Harry Truman. From 1945 to 1952 he photographed three presidential inaugurations.
In 1952 Errigo joined the Philadelphia Inquirer with the mandate of teaching color process to the staff there. He produced essays for he Sunday Roto section featuring Emmett Kelly and the Ringling Brothers clowns, Roy Rogers and Trigger, Joe DeMaggio’s Yankees versus Connie Mack’s Athletics and Rin Tin Tin, among other subjects. In order to better photograph ice hockey, he acquired a strobe light from MIT, with which he successfully “froze” a speeding puck in mid-air, a first in those days. While there he became the youngest recipient of the Annenberg Award for Photo-journalism.
For thirty years at Armstrong Industries, Errigo pioneered new breakthroughs in the field of room set photography, such as rear projection. He continued to consult in this field for a group of younger professionals he mentored.
In 1994, Frank Errigo was asked by President Bill Clinton to accompany him to Anzio to photograph the ceremonies marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Liberation of Rome and the landing at Anzio hosted jointly by the US and he government of Italy. He did attend and completed the emotional assignment seeing the graves of members of his crew who did not survive.
Frank S. Errigo’s images have been used in Goodyear advertisements and have appeared in numerous worldwide publications including:
Business Screen – special issue of the National Magazine of Audio and Visual Aids, Liberty Magazine, Armes Militaria Magazine (France), Philadelphia Inquirer (Picture Parade), Electronics, Minneapolis Sunday Tribune, National Geographic Society, American Rifleman,,Infantry Journal, Chicago Tribune Daily, Chicago Sunday Tribune, Collier’s, Popular Science, America in World War II – The Magazine of the People, Holiday Magazine, Saint Louis Globe, True Magazine, Air News, New York Herald Tribune, Coronet, Des Moines Sunday Register, EnGuardia (South America), Victory (South America), New York Sunday Mirror, The Standard and many more.
He was the winner of the 1948 Annenberg Award for photo-journalism, a member of the Press Photographers Association and a rating as one of the top indoor architectural photographers in the nation. He was a member of St John Neumann Parish and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus as well as a charter member of the Italian Cultural Society of Lancaster.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a sister Emma Guarino, wife of Fred, Curwensville, PA; daughter, Paula M., Lancaster; a son, Frank S. Jr. (Chip), husband of Judy, Lancaster; granddaughters, Francesca D. Vaughn, wife of Ryan, Lancaster; Katie Roering, wife of Eric, Mount Joy; great-granddaughters Ava and Emerson Vaughn, Lancaster. He is preceded in death by brothers Robert, Tony, Pat, Joseph, Edward, Harry, and a sister, Katie.
Viewing with the family present will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Monday, January 15, 2018 at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA, 17543, with Parish Rosary at 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 AM, Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 601 E. Delp Road, Lancaster, PA 17601.
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Condolences to the Family
January 18, 2018
Paula, Just wanted to say how sorry I am for you and your family in the loss of your father. I had the pleasure of meeting your father several times over the years. The first being when we were in grade school and I walked you home (seeking your affections). Later I would meet him at an exhibit of his photography. His work over the years was amazing. He was a gentle and talented man. My heart goes out to you in the loss of someone so dear, but rest in the knowledge that you have a special angel watching over you and yours. Prayers for you. God Bless, Dave Anderson
January 17, 2018
John and karen palumbo send our condolences
January 15, 2018
My sincerest condolences to all in the Errigo family.
My 55 year friendship and professional working relationship with Frank is one I truly cherish. Frank was loved by all who worked with him at Armstrong. A warmer, kinder, gentler and more endearing man we will never know.
Dick Whitson
January 14, 2018
Paula, your dad was always such a great guy and a pleasure to work with at Armstrong. I remember him with great respect and affection. My sympathies to you and your family.
Chet Williamson
January 14, 2018
Dear Chip,
My sincere condolences on the passing of your father. His was a life truly well lived. Having lost my own mom & dad few years ago, I truly understand how difficult it is to lose a parent. May you find comfort and support from family & friends, and strength through your faith.
With deepest sympathy,
Sandra Tezak, your former co-worker at G.E. Richards
January 14, 2018
Paula, so sorry to read about the death of your dear father.
Condolences to you & your family.
Duddy Segro
January 14, 2018
I Had the pleasure and honor to work alongside Frank in Armsrtong’s advertising and marketing development center for many years. You taught me a great deal about photography and most importantly the use of light. His photography defined world class and had a great effect on history and the world. I can say little more than what has already been said about the life most people dream yet you lived.
What I remember most about Frank is his laugh and how freely he shared it with all, I can still hear it Frank. I remember how you would walk up to me with that smile and put his arm around me as a greeting. How you would on occasion offer advice in a very quiet manner. I will never forget the sincere and learned advice you gave a young man you freely befriended Frank, you defined for me what a gentleman is.
Our careers and paths separated a lifetime ago Frank and I’m not sure I ever said thanks… thank You Frank, On Wings Of Angels
A old friend… Danny McGinn
January 12, 2018
Michael Gammache
I knew Frank thru his chiurch and my father Richard. Enjoyed his time with me at numerous church functions as well neighborhood walks with my dog. He truly enjoyed his lifes journey with soo many others and his concern for the well being of others always left a lasting impression with me. He enquired one time with my passion of history and that I worked with a friend in glass plate photography in the field. He truly was humble in his expertise and made me feel soo good about our impression at Landis Valley! I stopped by a yard sale and we talked a bit and again I went away with such good vibes with him. Again thanks Frank for all that you shared with others my post seems small but now looking at us from a heavenly studio with your friends family at your side your family should be proud of the portrait you framed here on earth Peace Mike
January 11, 2018
There is an ache in my heart mourning the loss of my dearest favorite Uncle, Frank Errigo.
Whatever role Uncle Frank had in all of our lives, I guarantee that we know this about him, he was a guy who was known for his common sense, kindness and his quiet approach to life. He was a man who taught love through actions, not words.
My memories of Uncle Frank were always in awe of him and his wonderful stories of being a photographer in Europe during World War II. Uncle Frank was always a calming influence in our family and when things were difficult with my own father, I sought Uncle Frank’s help, memories of him helping me are embedded in my heart and will stay with me for a lifetime to come.
Had anyone asked Frank what his finest legacy to the world would be, I have no doubt that he would have had just one answer, “my family”, as he truly lived his life in devotion to them and they will carry his spirit into the future because while he leaves us in body, his spirit and legacy remain. Aunt Ann, I can’t imagine the loss that you feel. Uncle Frank was your heart. Uncle Frank was so lucky to have you as his wife. You built a wonderful home and life together.
I don’t think Uncle Frank had many regrets, and yet I know he had many proud moments. Paula and Chip, Uncle Frank treasured his time with you, his children, above all else. In addition, his granddaughters, Francesca and Katie, were his constant sources of pride and joy. You could see his face “lite up” each time he spoke of you. I know that he’s in heaven and I also know that even though he’s been gone for just a short time, that Uncle Frank is already wearing the wings he has earned – and they are golden.
January 11, 2018
Please accept our condolences and our love. Mr. Errigo was always a fine person and gentleman. When I met him over ten years ago, he filled my soul and heart with warmth and smiles. What a fine person and one that I will never forget. I never forget the inspiration he provided me. He was a man’s man – a true patriotic person who cared some much about others, especially his family. We will miss him.
Merced and Celia Flores – Woodburn, Oregon
January 11, 2018
Chip – I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Your father left many memories. May those memories help comfort you at this time. Wish I could fly home for the services. Know that I’m there in spirit! Nancy Dove
January 11, 2018
Dear Paula,
I am very sorry for your loss. I am praying that you, your mother, Chip, and family find the strength to get through this difficult time.
God bless you.
Valerie Capp
January 11, 2018
Dear Ann & Family, Deepest sympathy & prayers for your great loss. May your many happy memories bring you comfort. Frank was such a kind, loving man.
Fondly,Rosa Mastronatteo
January 11, 2018
Dear Aunt Ann, Chip and Paula,
Uncle Frank has always had such a special place in my heart ❤️
Such a incredible man, Uncle and friend, he always had a smile on his face always so kind and loving ..
i wil never forget the trips to Lancaster visiting u all at your home and the warm welcome of u and Uncle Frank, he was truly the best .
Iam so sorry for your loss,
He was loved so much ..
He had a incredible life and will be missed by All,
Thoughts and prayers ,
May in Rest In Peace
Thinking of U All,
With so many fond memories,
With Love
Monique
January 11, 2018
Our heartfelt condolences and sympathy go out to the family of Frank Errigo. It was our priviledge to have know this wonderfully creative, intelligent, and kind man. It is our hope that your many memories will be of comfort to you all. With deep sympathy, Angela Branz-Spall, Jim Spall and Santina Branz
January 11, 2018
Paula,
So sorry for your loss.
Nancy Miller
January 11, 2018
It was a pleasure to know Frank since 1972. He was a wise and generous man who encouraged younger talents and enthralled folks with photography advice and tales from behind the lens. He really helped make Lancaster and our world a better place. He is missed and fondly remembered by me & my Dad.
Robert LeMin
Lancaster, PA
January 11, 2018
Chip,
Very sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. Another member of the greatest generation is gone. I remember seeing some of your Dad’s photos in the paper and was amazed over their content. It took alot of courage to go into combat with just a camera and he showed what bravery is all about. You have wonderful memories to hang on too so keep them close to your heart. His legacy in his work will remain forever.
Joe Segro
January 11, 2018
Ever since I was a child; when I saw Mr. Errigo, he always made me feel good. He was such a kind human being. May he rest in peace, he has earned the right !!! God Bless the entire family.
Respectfully, Tom DeMascola
January 11, 2018
Hi Chip. Just read the obituary of your Dad. What an amazing man. I never knew anything about him. So sorry to here about his passing. What a life he had. Mary and I are in Florida so we will not be able to attend the funeral,but our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family. Doug (Bug)
January 11, 2018
So sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. We had lot’s friendly photography discussions over the years and he recently sat with me and my Granddaughter to discuss his career for a school project she was working.
My condolences to the family, Franks kind smile and wit will be missed by all who knew him.
Scott Kriner
January 11, 2018
I worked with — and enjoyed — Frank for many years in the Advertising Department at Armstrong. He photographed many room sets for me — floors and ceilings. He was a remarkable talent for a relatively small market such as Lancaster. For moe than 30 years one of his photos has graced our living room wall. RIP Frank. — Tom Burgum
- Visitation
- Monday, January 15, 2018
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
- 3110 Lititz Pike
- Lititz, PA 17543
- Map and Directions
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Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Tuesday, January 16, 2018
- 10:00 AM
- St. John Neumann Catholic Church
- 601 E. Delp Road
- Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601
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