Harrisburg, PA — John Pantalone, founder of World Wide Racing Photos, died on Friday morning (July 5) at age 76.

Mr. 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 with a friend began a photography business; 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 him.

Mr. Pantalone’s company was the track photographer at Brandywine, Liberty Bell, Garden State, Freehold, 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 the company processed the photography for a dozen racetracks, including Golden Bear  in Sacramento, Calif.

World Wide Racing Photos and Mr. 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 color photography and the change from film to digital photography being the two foremost examples.

Mr. Pantalone’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 the Nikon Photo Award for a special effects photo taken at Garden State Park. Garden State was also the scene of one of Mr. Pantalone’s favorite racetrack memories. In 1992 a campaign bus carrying presidential candidate Bill Clinton stopped for a rally at the track, and the future president received a winner’s circle photo with his namesake, Bubba Clinton. Mr. Pantalone was one of the few photographers authorized to record the event.

On March 1, 2018, the Post Time with Mike and Mike podcast hosted an interview with Mr. Pantalone, which can be found by clicking here.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday (July 9) from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Terranova Funeral Home at 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.

To leave condolences or view arrangements please visit Terranova Funeral Home’s website.