Augustus Edwin “Gus” Gondolf Sr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 8, 1892. His father, Edward Gondolff, was the son of Peter Gondolff Sr., who immigrated to the United States from the Alsace-Lorraine region of France. The family initially settled in Pennsylvania. Over time, most of the Gondolff sons dropped the second “f” from their surname. However, Edward Gondolff, the only son who retained the original spelling, later moved to Camden, New Jersey, in the 1890s. There, he became the owner of 409 Market Street, next to the Temple Theater, where he operated a bar and restaurant called the Temple Saloon, later renamed the Temple Bar & Hotel. It was in this environment that Gus Gondolf (who did drop the second “f”) grew up.
Gus Gondolf trained as a stationary engineer working on coal furnaces. Recognizing the shift in technology, he transitioned into one of Camden’s first auto mechanics. By 1917, he owned his own garage. At that time, he and his wife, Winifred, lived at 414 Beckett Street in South Camden with their two sons, Edward and Donald. A third son, Augustus E. “Gus” Gondolf Jr., was born on March 29, 1918.
During the 1920s, the Gondolf family relocated to Parkside, settling at 1462 Belleview Avenue. By 1942, Gus was employed as the Superintendent of the New Jersey state motor vehicle inspection station at 1140 Wright Avenue.
Tragedy struck the family on December 7, 1944, when their eldest son, Edward Gondolf, was killed in action during the fighting around Lemberg, France.
Gus Gondolf Sr. passed away in 1951 and was laid to rest at Harleigh Cemetery. His wife, who later resided in Somerdale, New Jersey, joined him there in 1976.
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Augustus E. Gondolf Sr.
Augustus Edwin “Gus” Gondolf Sr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 8, 1892. His father, Edward Gondolff, was the son of Peter Gondolff Sr., who immigrated to the United States from the Alsace-Lorraine region of France. The family initially settled in Pennsylvania. Over time, most of the Gondolff sons dropped the second “f” from…
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Barrington Man Given 30 Days for Bad Check
Camden Courier-Post — February 23, 1954 A Barrington man went to county jail for 30 days after Judge Dzick ruled him guilty of passing worthless check for rental of an auto. The sentence — 30 days and $25 fine — was imposed on Ralph Visco, 35, of 338B Barrington Manor Apartments. Visco, police said, operates…
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