Walter A. Krajicek Dies At 89

Walter A. Krajicek

Walter A. Krajicek of Montauk, a photographer, designer and veteran, died at Southampton Hospital on Wednesday, December 28. He was 89.

Born May 20, 1922, in Astoria to Anthony Krajicek and Sadie Perez Krajicek, he graduated from the High School of Music & Art in Manhattan where he studied photography, painting and textiles. He transferred to Straubenmiller Textile High School and became captain of the fencing team. After graduating he took a job with Men’s Reporter. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Army as part of a special detachment of photographers, draftsmen and writers. It was in this group that he witnessed some of the greatest atrocities of the war through his lens, including concentration camps and damage done by the Allies’ bombs.

From the time he returned from war until the early 1970s, Mr. Krajicek worked his way up from salesman to the top designer for Hut Neckwear in Manhattan. He then opened his own company, Kelly 1, on 39th Street between Madison and Park avenues, and would visit Milan each year. He retired in his early 60s.

For many years Mr. Krajicek and his family rented a house on Fort Pond Bay and when the time came to buy a home, his wife, Sally, was adamant that they buy one with a good view of the sunset. He lived in his Montauk home on Essex Street for 36 years.

As a photographer, he took thousands of photos of the Montauk Point Lighthouse, and according to family, his photos were always on the cover of the Montauk Chamber’s book each year. He was also a frequent photo contributor to the Montauk Pioneer, Montauk Sun and the Independent. Mr. Krajicek was also an artist who worked with all mediums.

He enjoyed playing golf and fishing as well as traveling with his wife to Europe.

Mr. Krajicek is survived by two children, Kathleen Koonmen of Westhampton Beach and James Krajicek of Bayside; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of nearly 65 years, Sally Morrissey Krajicek, in May 2011.

Visitation took place on Monday, January 2, at Yardley & Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton. A funeral mass was help on Tuesday, January 3, at St. Therese of Lisieux in Montauk. Interment followed at Calverton National Cemetery.