OCEAN CITY — Tributes poured in for professional photographer Donald B. Kravitz, who died Jan. 15, 2024.
Kravitz was a fixture at Ocean City events for decades and his work encompassed everything from local charitable events to Miss America pageants.
Kravitz, a talented and genial presence who was well respected among his peers, was seemingly everywhere covering events including July Fourth parades and the resort’s unlocking of the ocean on Memorial Day weekend. That was but a small fraction of his work.
The decorated Vietnam War veteran took photographs for Ocean City, Atlantic City, various casinos, Getty Images, the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles, Miss New Jersey and Miss America and the Garden State Film Festival.
He was involved in many charitable organizations and understood the importance of sharing kindness and compassion with everyone, according to his family, who considered him a supportive and loving husband, father, stepfather and Pop-Pop. The graduate of the University of Maryland was often seen wearing his baseball cap turned backward while he was working.
“Don was one of the hardest-working people I know, he loved his craft and I’m sure his talents will be greatly missed,” Richard Strauss said.
“I met Don 20 years ago when I became the photographer for the Miss New Jersey pageant,” he explained. “At first it was a little intimidating since everybody knew Don and I was the new kid on the block. Don helped me get acquainted with the pageant world and soon we became good friends. I always looked forward to seeing him at the pageants and whoever arrived first would save the other one a seat.”
“This is incredibly sad news. Don was such a kind and loving man. He will be missed,” wrote Tricia Bowman Branch, a former Miss New Jersey from Ocean City.
“He had that infectious smile and kindness about him,” said Cathy DiMarco, president of the Ocean City Cape Atlantic Chapter of the Sunshine Foundation. “And he was always seen with (his wife) Carol by his side.”
DiMarco said Kravitz volunteered for years to take photos for the Sunshine Foundation and “captured the right moments” for her organization and the other events he covered. “He was always extending a helping hand.”
“He was not only a photographer, but a friend to all who knew him,” DiMarco added, “always offering his services any way he could.”
“Oh, my heart is breaking,” wrote comedian Dena Blizzard. “Don was one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met. I’m not sure how … but from behind that camera he supported so many of us on stage. Many prayers to his wife, Carol, and their beautiful family. He will be missed so much.”
“He will be so, so missed,” former Miss New Jersey Jill Horner wrote. “What a wonderful person.”
“I’ve traveled a distance away from my pageant career, and my home base of Ocean City. It’s been so long that ‘former’ titleholder feels overly generous,” wrote Robin Vitale. “But Donald Kravitz didn’t forget. A few years ago, he caught me at a baby parade in Ocean City and he instantly connected.
“I felt transported back to my days sitting on the back of a volunteer’s convertible. Don always made you feel special. He will be missed. But he’s now able to capture the best view of those he loves. I pray his memory brings them comfort in time.”
“He was always a kind and generous person,” Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian said. “A true fixture of Ocean City.”
Diana Dove shared an anecdote.
“I believe I fell into his arms during a local pageant when he was taking pictures. I was a visiting queen walking down an unfamiliar runway (without a rehearsal). I didn’t realize there were black steps at the end of the black runway, while blinded by the spotlight. … We were both so happy I didn’t make a crash landing! He said I was the ‘catch of the day!’ He tilted me back up and I kept walking, waving and smiling.”
“Don was everywhere with his cameras,” said David Nahan, a photographer and editor of the Sentinel newspapers. “He was one of the first people I met covering events in Ocean City more than 25 years ago and that I bumped into ever since. He was always friendly, kind and supportive.
“His work was outstanding,” Nahan added. “I was impressed by the quality of his photos, but doubly so by how he managed to cover so many different things. I also was impressed by the reactions he got from the people he covered — so many adored him.”
He is survived by his loving wife, Carol Hadley (nee Reichman), who often accompanied and supported him on his assignments. He was the loving father of Brett Dockwell (Alison), Dr. Amy Kravitz-Del Solar (Alvaro), Troy Kravitz (Sandra Normann-Kravitz), Bryan Nadley (Jill) and Amy Polis (Adam); adoring grandfather of Fin, Nola, Ainsley, Elias, Mathias, Charlotte, Noah, Jake, Jordyn, Jonah, Beckam and Ramsey; brother of Karen Jacobson (Arthur) and Eileen Fein (Ronnie.)
Family and friends are invited to his funeral service at 9 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, at Goldsteins’ Rosenberg’s Raphael-Sacks Suburban North Chapel, 310 Second Street Pike in Southampton, Pa. Entombment to follow at Montefiore Cemetery in Jenkintown, Pa.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Heart of Surfing (www.heartofsurfing.org) or to the Sunshine Foundation (www.sunshinefoundation.org).
Photo of Donald B. Kravitz by Richard Strauss.