From Raffaele de Ritis

Willy Togni passed away last Wednesday in Verona, at age of 77. Son of Ferdinando, with his brothers Enis and Bruno he was the founder in 1963 of Circo Americano. He was trapeze artist, acrobat, and first of all horse and elephant trainer. Willy is considered one of the greatest elephant trainers of the last generation. He is the only one remembered ever to present a full group of 22 in a single space. In 1963 in Torino he presented with Gunther Gebel a group of 26 elephants, probably the largest ever. Willy was the teacher of his nephew Flavio. Willy togni is also remebered for being the ring director of the first 15 edition of Monte Carlo Circus Festival. His sons are Marco and Loris, good trapeze flyers and illusion artists. For telegrams: Fam.Togni Circo Americano Via Germania, 3 Verona ITALY