Joseph F. Candrella

Joseph F Candrella, 93, of Douglassville, PA formerly of Warminster, PA died quietly in Pottstown Hospital on December 17, 2024. Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1931 the only son of Joseph Conderella and Lena (Lorefice) Conderella. 

At the age of five, Joe lost his mother and was raised by his grandmother, Georgina. He attended Catholic school in the Borough Park Neighborhood of Brooklyn. He shared stories about growing up there, often recounting his love of movie matinees, which led to an early interest in his life-long work, photography. Already working as a photographer, on his 20th birthday he enlisted in the Marine Corps with basic training at Paris Island, SC, then photographer training at NAS Pensacola in Florida, finally, assignment to Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California to finish his hitch. 

Along with one life changing development came another. Before he left for the Marines, he was taking baby pictures of a pair of brothers who were being watched over by their attractive older cousin, and in a meet cute worthy of Hollywood, he met, courted and married his wife of nearly 70 years, Fran. He often recalled seeing her for the first time in her bright yellow sweater. They were married in Brooklyn on January 11, 1953. She joined him in Oceanside. Then, his service complete it was back to Brooklyn, baby pictures and their first 3 babies; Joseph, Robert and Crislynn came along. 

It was a busy time, with a growing family beside his daytime photography work he took on extra work, it could be a Brooklyn wedding or covering for another photographer at a Manhattan night spot, it was a way to make ends meet. When an opportunity came to take the baby picture business to the Philadelphia area, he took it. Eventually it brought him and his brother-in-law, Jack, with their families to Warminster, PA where the ‘baby boom’ kept them busy making babies smile for their own business, Walker Studio. At home, Joe and Fran added their own smiling baby, welcoming their fourth child, Kelly, to the family. 

With a portrait studio now in every mall, Joe returned to photography equipment sales at Larmon Photo, sharing his expertise with photographers old and new. It was his calling, and he was still at it into his 90’s. New interests also began. As someone who always appreciated precision craftsmanship, he was drawn to knife making. Setting up a workshop at home he pursued it with enthusiasm and Franjo, his signature brand started. With a new outlet for his creative energies, Joe and Fran traveled to knife shows throughout the country, enjoying new places and new people. 

While all this was happening, the family grew and the guy who grew up with just a grandmother de-lighted in welcoming both sons and daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren into the fold. In his humble way, he would often give all the credit to “Franny” saying she was reason he was surrounded by the love and joy of family, but we know it was both of them, together as a team. Visits to their home always elicited stories for the family to cherish. As we mourn his passing, we are blessed to have them and of course all the photos he captured of and for us and everyone he counted close to him.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife Fran, his son Robert, son-in-law, Steve and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Bea and Jack Orlando. He is survived by his son Joseph and his daughters Crislynn and Kelly, daughters-in-law Christine and Eileen, and son-in-law Tom. Eleven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, great and grand and many family friends who were always happy to spend time with Grandpa. He will be missed every day and will live on in the hearts of all who were lucky to know him. We will always remember his big smile and his signature red Marine Corps cap.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, January 10, 2025 at 11:00AM at St. Jude Church and Shrine, 321 West Butler Ave. Chalfont, PA 18914. A visitation will be from 10:00AM-11:00AM at the church prior to mass. Burial will be in Whitemarsh Memorial Park, Ambler, PA.

Dengler-Sowers Funeral Home & Crematory, LLC is in charge of arrangements.