John T. "Bunky" deVecchis, 78, photographed jazz musicians

BUNKY deVecchis would go into a dimly lit nightclub with a camera without a flash and capture jazz musicians in full cry in whatever light was available.

He didn't like flash photography, and his subjects were appreciative. Nothing like working to nurse notes out of your instrument with a flash going off in your face.

Ambient light worked just fine for Bunky, and many of his images of jazz musicians, most of them caught performing at Philadelphia venues, have been widely exhibited and cherished by fans who hang them in their homes and offices.

John T. "Bunky" deVecchis Jr., who, with his wife, Rita, operated the Custom Frame Shop and Gallery on South Street for more than 25 years, an Army veteran and an athlete who pursued his passion for racquetball into his 50s, died April 22 of progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare brain disease. He was 78 and lived in Queen Village.

In 2003, former Daily News writer Al Hunter Jr. wrote about Bunky's jazz photos on the walls of Jim's Steaks, just a few doors from the frame shop. The restaurant had a permanent exhibit called "Jim's Steaks Salutes Philadelphia Jazz Greats," and Bunky's photos were prominent among them.

His work also was exhibited at Chris' Jazz Cafe, the Clef Club, Ortlieb's Jazzhaus and other venues.

"I've been a jazz fiend since the '60s, listening to singers such as Chris Connor and June Christy," Bunky told Hunter.

Bunky had been shooting since 1980, having caught the photography bug from his wife, the former Rita Mae Gaudet, a former administrator at the old Franklin Mint who studied photography abroad and lectured on the subject at the University of Pennsylvania.

He and his wife built a darkroom in their home where Bunky spent hours developing film and making silver gelatin prints, which he then selenium-toned.

"He remained true to the art and mystery of capturing images on film and using only ambient light, a method greatly appreciated by his subjects," his wife said.

John T. deVecchis Jr. was born in Philadelphia and acquired the nickname "Bunky" in his crib. A friend of the family created a cartoon showing a crib with a baby's hands clutching the rail and a little set of eyes peering out over it with the caption, "Last night a real 'Bunky' was born."

Growing up in Delaware County, Bunky was active in sports at Haverford High School. He played soccer, ran cross country and track, and was a major force on the wrestling team.

He served on the school's newspaper staff and the Finance Committee, studied Latin, and was a member of the Junior Classical League.

After graduating in 1954, Bunky worked for a time with his father in the construction business and pursued a short-lived boxing career before enrolling at Drexel University in 1956.

He dropped out of Drexel in 1957 and enlisted in the Army. He served as a helicopter pilot with the 82nd Airborne Division, and wrestled on an Army team.

After his discharge in 1960, Bunky took drawing classes at Philadelphia College of Art, now the University of the Arts, and studied photography at Community College of Philadelphia.

He married Rita Mae Gaudet in 1973.

In 1983, at age 47, Bunky was introduced to the game of racquetball. He became so proficient that on several occasions he traveled to Houston to participate in the National Racquetball Championships.

When there was discussion about making racquetball an Olympic sport, Bunky was invited to attend an Olympic Training Center Camp in Marquette, Mich.

"They had looked at his ranking, not his age, so they were a bit surprised when he showed up with his gray hair and beard," his wife said. "But he had a grand time there."

Bunky was honored on June 7, 2013, by the Philadelphia Conference of Photojournalism at a gala entitled "A Tribute to Bunky: Photographs by John 'Bunky' deVecchis" at the Clef Club.

"Bunky attended in his wheelchair, and gave the event two thumbs up," Rita said.

Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Michelle DeMatteo and Rita Fadellin; a son, John T. deVecchis III; nine siblings; and four grandchildren.

Services: Funeral Mass 2 p.m. tomorrow at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church, Columbus Boulevard and Christian Street.

A fund in his name to promote jazz has been established at the Settlement Music School, P.O. Box 63966, Philadelphia 19147. Make gifts to the John "Bunky" deVecchis Fund for Jazz.