John J. Contoudis

John J. Contoudis  was born in Chios, Greece on July 14, 1935.  He migrated to the U.S. in March of 1946.  He spent his formative years in Philadelphia, where he lived for his adult life, a city he loved.

He attended the Philadelphia Public School system and graduated from Central High School in the 203rd class.  He served in the U.S. army during the Korean conflict, and was the recipient of three medals for his meritorious service.

After the military he operated his family restaurant business, during this 6 year period he attended evening classes at Temple University. 

After a successful sales career in the photographic industry, in the summer of 1966, he opened a retail camera store, Jack’s Cameras, in the Kensington area of Philadelphia.  Within a year a 2nd store was opened, and within two decades the enterprise flourished and had over 100 stores along the eastern seaboard from Michigan to Florida.  In December 1996 he retired from the business and turned over the reins to his sons Jim and Chris Contoudis.

John served on many civic and humanitarian organizations.  For over a decade he was the youth director at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.  He also served on the board of Liberty Bank of Philadelphia.  One of his greatest civic passions was his service on the board of Temple University, he began this service in 1984 and was named an honorary member of the board for life.  He is a firm believer in the mission of Temple, to provide an education to working class people.  Both his sons and his granddaughter are alumni.

John was an avid enthusiast of sports, he coached basketball and baseball, played tennis and was an avid golfer.

Of all his achievements his greatest was his family.  He often said his family made him the richest man in the world.  He was married to Terry Aphrodite Contoudis from August 1963.  They have 3 children, James, Chris and Karen.  The boys operate Jack’s Cameras and Karen is an attorney at Allen & Overy LLP in New York.  Their 3 children brought wonderful new children as in-laws to the family, Leslie Contoudis (James), Eleni Contoudis (Chris) and Robert Buzard (Karen).  The family has been further extended by 8 grandchildren, these grandchildren were the joy of John and Terry’s life.  At family gatherings John could always be found playing and laughing with his grandchildren (in age order): Tori (James & Leslie), John (James & Leslie), Theo (James & Leslie), Jonathon (Chris & Eleni), TJ (Karen & Rob), Will (Karen & Rob), Anthony (Chris & Eleni) and Alexia (Chris & Eleni).