William Thomas DelConte

William Thomas DelConte, “Billy” husband, father, grandfather.

Born January 20 1944- Died  Oct 9, 2021

Bill, born in Rochester New York, was handed a camera early in life. He started making photographs as young as five years old. After a stint in the Navy, Bill took on a position as a photojournalist for Xerox, just as the company was developing the first copy machines. He traveled the country, photographing executives and events.

He then moved to New York City to pursue his career in photojournalism and advertising photography. He opened a commercial studio, where he created a wonderful body of black and white street images along with a breadth of intimate portraits. At the same time he hired a new photography assistant, who became his wife, Cynthia.

Bill eventually entered a career in commercial real estate, where his most storied sale was #1 Times Square, the location of the New Year’s Eve ball drop. However, he never abandoned his true love of photography, and kept a camera always by his side.  Bill loved the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Frank, as well as portraitists Richard Avedon and Annie Leibowitz; and like “The Decisive Moment”, Bill had said he always meant to photograph the moment just before it happened.

After the birth of his sons Jacques and Nick, he relocated to the Hudson Valley, where he loved to go on walks with his dog and go on Bike rides when he was still healthy, although his heart stayed in Greenwich Village. He became a Buddhist where he found great peace as he hosted Rhinebeck’s Sangha.

Billy was smart and sweet and always funny. His wit followed his reputation. Even at the nursing home where he last resided his nickname was “Superstar”.
He was a wonderful, creative, funny and sweet man. His joy were his children, Jacques (Chandra), Nick, and his beloved partner and wife of almost 42 years, Cynthia (Bryen).

He will be remembered always for his kindness, his love of photography and music, and his joy in having a granddaughter, Esmé.

If you wish to make a donation in Bill’s memory, please consider “The Lewy Body Society” (LBDA supports those affected by Lewy body dementia by raising awareness and promoting scientific advances.)

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