Architectural Photographer

Gilbert Nicholas Amiaga

Gil Amiaga, 75, died peacefully in his Southold home Wednesday morning, July 1, 2009. He was surrounded in his final days by his loving family. He was born March 9, 1934, to Erna and John Amiaga in Gutenberg, NJ, and from a very young age spent hissummers in Greenport, then Southold. His family has lived in Southold year-round since 1976.

After graduating from Memorial HS in West New York, NJ, Gil was the principal assistant to the famous architectural photographer Louis H. Dreyer in New York City. He served two years in the US Army Signal Corps as a battlefield surveillancespecialist, for a year in Fort Huachuca, Arizona and a second year in Okinawa, JAPAN. Upon returning to civilian life, Gil continued to develop his craft, working for Dreyer’s successor, Adolph Studley. In 1958, he started his own business, Gil Amiaga Architectural Photography, out of New York City and the North Fork. He was an adjunct professor at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn for 10 years in the 1970’s. In his fifty-year professional career, he travelled to Japan, Monte Carlo, Hawaii, Mexico and many times to Puerto Rico, and documentedthe projects of New York City-based clients across the country. His work for many architects and designers has been seen in all the major architectural and design publications, many books and innumerable company brochures and marketing pieces. His business continues today, owned and operated by his son Stephen.

Gil Amiaga is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Ann; his two children: Stephen Amiaga and his wife Mia of Amityville; Susan Amiaga Oliveira and her husband David of Dartmouth, MA; his two brothers, Walter, andhis wife Ruth; Denis, andhis wife Marina, and their families. Gil has three granddaughters. Ana and Eva Oliveira, and Sarah Amiaga.

He was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Greenport. The family will receive visitors at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold on Sunday July 5, 2009 from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM. Rev. Garret Johnson will conduct funeral services at St. Peter’s Monday July 6th, 2009 at 10AM. Gil will be buried with military honors at Calverton National Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute,Lowe Center for Thoracic Surgery, D820B, 44 Binney Street,Boston, MA 02115, or to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, PO Box 242,Greenport, NY 11944.