John Helfrick, 72, passed away Thursday, June 2, 2022, at UPMC Altoona after a short illness. He was born in Port Washington, N.Y., the third of four children.
John graduated from Villanova University in 1971 with a degree in accounting and went on to earn a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Film and Photography from The Boston Museum School.
While there, John designed dressing rooms for musical acts featured by promoter Don Law and worked with a variety of artists, including Queen and The Rolling Stones.
He returned to Long Island, N.Y., and operated a successful wedding photography business. After enduring enough bridezillas for a lifetime, John moved to Altoona to oversee property in Cambria County that he had inherited. During that time, John purchased the McCrory Building in downtown Altoona, for which he had great, but unrealized, dreams.
John was outgoing and gregarious. He loved to hear and relay a good story, always with a chuckle. His friends, both locally and afar, will miss him deeply.
A memorial gathering is planned for September.
For future details regarding the celebration of John’s life, please send contact information to [email protected].