The Passing Of A Local Legend

Saturday, January 26, 2008 03:55 AM

A photograph honouring the late Wally West is displayed in the store’s front window

Prince George, B.C. - He captured the early history of Prince George through his lens...

Now, his photo is on display in the store he passed on to his protege in 1983.

W.D. (Wally) West passed away in Rotary Hospice House on Thursday at the age of 91 -- just weeks short of his 92nd birthday, which would have been February 8th.

Craig Prudente is the current owner of W.D. West Studios on 3rd Avenue. He began working for Wally West back in 1968 at the age of 14. Prudente’s own father had died two years earlier, so Wally became a father figure to him and taught him the business.

Prudente says it's a business that's changed dramatically since Wally's day. He says the recession in the 1980's saw many companies move away from the 'luxury' of hiring photographers for on-site shoots. Changes in technology have also spurred change.

"When I worked for Wally, certainly in the early '70's, we were still going out with the big old 8-by-20-inch banquet camera that he started the company with."

"It's the same camera that he photographed the Queen with during a royal visit to Victoria, that the flash bulb blew up in." Prudente says the bulb explosion caused quite a stir with security at the Empress Hotel and they quickly escorted West out, but he was invited back later by Queen Elizabeth to photograph the rest of the visit.

Wally West's funeral is tentatively set for Friday at the Knox United Church.

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Posted on Saturday, January 26, 2008 03:55 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on January 26 2008 8:07 AM

I flew with Wally in a Cessna 150 he used to own.

That photo certainly marks the passing of time in PG. I bet there wasn't bars in the windows of the stores in PG when Wally started his business. Now we have to look out for the bums and tribes that run the downtown, not the other way round anymore.

Posted by: bohemian on January 26 2008 10:05 AM

For those who haven't seen Craig's collection of vintage cameras, you should go and pay him a visit - amazing stuff.

Also, sometimes people on this site are critical of tax dollars spent on cultural programs and infrastructure. I would like to suggest The Exploration Place's Online Exhibits, including the Wally West Collection, was worth every penny.

You can find them here:
http://www.theexplorationplace.com/online.shtml

Posted by: Bridge on January 26 2008 10:06 AM

So long wally. Have a good shoot.

Cheers

Posted by: owl on January 26 2008 2:26 PM

He'll now get to sit with Karsh and Steichen and chat about taking pics for eternity .....

Posted by: mechallan on January 26 2008 7:50 PM

Wally West. grandpa,father, friend to many around the world. Rest in peace and be with May your first wife. miss you very much and one day will see you again

Posted by: Palopu on January 26 2008 8:00 PM

Way back when there were no bars in the Windows. There was a Tea and Sandwich ship upstairs I beleive, and Jimmy James had a Ice Cream and Candy shop in the area. All the kids stopped for a cone on their way home from school.

The bars were in the Jail, and the criminal element were on the inside looking out. Much different to-day.

Drunks, and others that were disturbing the peace were thrown in Jail on Friday and went to court Monday. They either paid a fine, or got 30 days in jail. Now the business owners and customers are behind bars, and the criminal element are on the outside looking in. How did this all come to pass?

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on January 26 2008 9:15 PM

It happens when Good Men say nothing.

And over time there is a an accumulation effect from social minded city councillor that have unintended results. Indulging personal fantasies at the expense of good government, and not taking out the trash, gives rot a place to grow and stink up the place.