Posted 7/31/2004 10:20:50 PM by Webmaster
News from Gary C. Payne, Secretary, Tent 24 viewed 809 times
Saturday, July 31, 2004 - Hartford, CT
Circus fans in Connecticut are deeply saddened at the loss of our dear friend and Tent namesake. He was an inspiration to us all.
Reverend John G. Toner, MS (Father Jack), died Friday at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT. The obituary lists his age as 89, but we of CFA believe he turned 90 on July 12. Calling hours are Sunday, August 1, 2-5pm at LaSalette Hartford House, 85 New Park Ave., Hartford, CT. Mass of Christian Burial August 2nd, 11am at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 79 New Park Ave., Hartford. Burial will be in Mount St. Benedict cemetery. Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home has arrangements. Father Jack was ordained in 1944 and served in the Ministry of Formation of LaSalette Semineries in CT, NY, and Mass.. He was Director of Development for the Missions of Burma and Argentina. In 1983 he was named chaplain to Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus and traveled about the country ministering to his circus family. He retired to LaSalette House in Hartford, CT, but continued to travel with various circuses until his death. Fr. Jack had been ill earlier this year and hospitalized, but rallied, feeling well enough to attend the wedding of Gary & Lisa Payne, where he gave the blessing, speaking in his usual clear and thought provoking manner. He looked well. He became ill this past week, with pneumonia, entering the hospital on Wednesday. Unable to rally this time, he passed away on Friday just before 3pm. Circus fans in Connecticut are deeply saddened at the loss of our dear friend and Tent namesake. He was an inspiration to us all. We know many of you, fans and showfolks feel the same. We deeply regret to share our bad news with the rest of the circus world. Respectfully submitted: Gary Payne, Secretary CFA Tent 24: Fr. Jack Toner/Bluch Llandolf Tent - Hartford, CT
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