Retired Hen Hud Teacher Publishes Book on Joe Deutsch, Hudson Valley Photographer

Almost twenty years ago Jean Moczarski made a vow to herself after hearing her neighbor and well-known Hudson Valley photographer Joe Deutsch speak at the Peekskill Presbyterian Church. He told his tale of “fortuitous luck” and escape from Adolf Hitler. Moczarski was so impressed with his story that she vowed to vowed to write it down some day in order to share it with the community

In 2008 Moczarski retired from her job as a Hendrick Hudson High School English teacher, and two years later she started on the biography, “Behind the Lens-The Story of Joe Deutsch, Hudson Valley Photographer,” and has lived up to her vow.

Deutsch is a WWII veteran, who then worked as a salesman for Godiva chocolate and went on to a successful career as a photographer in his retirement. He has been creating calendars of beautiful Hudson Valley photographs since the early 90s. Chances are if you’ve seen a photo of the Hudson Highlands or the Hudson River hanging somewhere, at least one of them was Deutsch’s.

“His daughter Carole has often told me this project has sustained her father,” Moczarski said of Deutsch, who turned 90 last October.

Moczarki said she learned from his inspirational stories from the war and from his ability to have a successful career post-retirement.

“I think I also learned about aging and the patience required through that as your life shrinks to the four walls of your living room. I’ve always admired older people for their fortitude and Joe is one of them.”

Moczarski published the 44-page book herself and plans to sell it through her email account, jean.moczarski@gmail.com, at historic Hudson Valley sites, and at local stores that sell Deutsch’s calendars.

“It is never too late to tell your story,” Moczarski says.

Moczarski will be at the Field Library on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. signing books of the Deutsch biography.

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