Philip Gelormine

Philip Gelormine

June 6, 1947 – February 10, 2023

Philip Gelormine, age 75, of Somerville, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 10, 2023, at RWJ University Hospital Somerset, in Somerville.

Philip was born in Newark, NJ, to Philip H. and Evelyn Gelormine on June 6th, 1947.  He graduated from Arts High School in Newark, attended Somerset County College (Now RVCC), and graduated from Jersey City State College with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media Studies.  Phil started his career as a reporter, columnist, music critic and photographer at Billboard magazine, and later became a feature writer/photographer and columnist for the “Pop Scene” at United Feature Syndicate.

Phil was an avid fan of Elvis Presley since the early 1960s, and, after the singer’s death, left his job to found ELVIS WORLD magazine in 1978, with his long-time friend David Wolven. It was through this endeavor that he met his future wife, Deborah Gelormine, who joined the magazine staff in 1981. Phil and Debbie were married on June 1st, 1985.

Later in his career, Phil worked at various local one-hour photo processing labs, including Imaging Options in Bridgewater, which he co-owned with his wife Debbie. With his love of photography and helpful service, he earned the affection of his customers, along with the nickname “Photo Phil.”

Phil loved many varieties of music, from Rock and Roll to American Popular Standards, with his premier favorite artists being Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Bruce Springsteen. He photographed countless performing artists, often wrote for other fan publications, and was much loved and respected among many fan communities. He was also a member of the BPOE Lodge #1068 in Somerville.

Philip is preceded in death by his parents, Philip H. Gelormine and Evelyn (Del Bono) Gelormine, as well as his friend and associate David Wolven.

Philip is survived by his wife, Deborah (Cox) Gelormine, his brother Robert Gelormine, sisters Joan Goleskie, Lynda Gelormine and Jayne Gelormine-Licata, and lifelong friend Gerard Eckhoff, as well as his nephews Adam Goleskie, Brian Goleskie, Kevin Goleskie (Kelly), niece Danielle (Goleskie) Velez (Steven), nephews Brandon Gelormine (Kathleen) and Matthew Gelormine (Lori) niece Courtney Licata and nephew Joey Licata, one great-niece and five great-nephews. He also leaves behind hundreds of music fan friends around the world.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.

Friends may visit the family on Wednesday, February 15 from 4:00-7:00pm at the Sheenan Funeral Home in Dunellen. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 16 at 11:00am at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Somerville, with burial to follow at Bound Brook Cemetery.

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