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1) Joe's Obituary
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Joseph Wojcich, age 77, founder and owner of Tempe Camera, died on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Joe was born in Germany in 1947. When he was four, the family emigrated to the US and Joe grew up in New Jersey. He joined the Air Force when he was 17, and after boot camp was stationed at Luke Air Force Base. He served in Guam and Hawaii initiating his life-long love of world travel, and when his tour was up, returned to Arizona, where he lived the rest of his life. He used the GI Bill to attend Phoenix College, and then a part-time photography instructor position landed him a full-time job working in a camera shop. Joe learned his legendary skills as a camera repairman on the job. Six months later, he started his own business, Tempe Camera, renting a 500-square-foot office on University Drive. In the early days, he delivered the cameras he had repaired on his motorcycle. As his business grew, he first built a
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1,500-square-foot building next door then several years later a 10,000-square foot building down the street followed by a photo lab next to it. Over the course of 51 years, Joe’s vision, dedication, and commitment to excellencebuilt Tempe Camera into the cornerstone of the Arizona photographic community. He was known and respected throughout Arizona and the nation for his expertise, reliability, and generosity as an invaluable friend and patron to working photographers and dedicated amateurs. Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Eloisa Statham, their three dogs Lucy, Mimi, and Jaxon, by siblings, nieces, and nephews, and by a huge group of friends. All of us who knew and loved him will miss him desperately and cherish the memories of his loving presence in our lives.