Mr. Brian Best Ainsworth's Obituary
Mr. Brian Best Ainsworth, 87, longtime resident of Gainesville, Florida, died Thursday, February 15, 2024, in the E. T. York Haven Hospice Care Center.
Mr. Ainsworth was born on July 18, 1936, in Claremont, New Hampshire to the late Oliver Henry and Evelyn Ainsworth. At the age of 15, he began his photography career as a photographer and darkroom technician for the Daily Eagle, his hometown newspaper; also, during his high school years, he hand colored senior portraits. As a young man, he served in the United States Navy for four years active followed by four years reserved as a photographer. He began a long career in the film industry, working first for GAF Corporation and then managing stores for Quarry Photo in Ann Arbor, MI.
He used his expertise on a national level with Fotomat Corporation, where he was the Director of Camera Stores managing 50 stores over six years, and then at Fuji Photo Film where he was the Director of their sponsorship of the 1984 Olympic games.
In 1983, he and his wife, Shirley, moved to Gainesville and operated Harmon’s, a local camera store. Together they ran the family business for 36 years.
In addition to operating this local company, Mr. Ainsworth was on the Board of Directors for the Photographic Research Organization. He was also a past member and chairman of the Buck Rogers National Photo Finishing Group, a think tank of
photo lab owners who set standards for the photo industry in North America. He was a past Director and Trustee of the Digital Imaging Marketing Association (DIMA).
In addition to his passion for photography, he obtained a private pilot's license at 58. He enjoyed sharing aviation and exploring Florida from the air.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Shirley Ainsworth; five sons, Robert (Robin) Edwards, of Indianapolis, IN, Keith (Denise) Ainsworth, of Crescent City, Jason (Bella) Ainsworth, of Boca Raton, Todd Ainsworth and Brian Ainsworth, both of Gainesville; Ten grandchildren and several great grandchildren also survive.
Graveside funeral services with military honors will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 2:00 P. M., in the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.
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