Thursday, March 06, 2008

From Pete Sturgis

Buckles,
I have the unhappy task of relaying to you the following. Please post it on the "blog". If anyone has any questions they can email me directly @ pjsturgis@yahoo.com . Thanks!
Pete, the Baraboobian!
Antonin Vinicky, Jr.
(Tony Smaha, Jr.)
Born: May 21, 1949 Died: March 6, 2008
Tony passed away peacefully, in his sleep, after a long illness got the "best" of him, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital TLC unit, in Madison, WI, early this morning.
Tony is survived by his mother Inga (Ingaborg) Vinicky (Smaha). Inga resides, still, at the family's property just North of Baraboo, WI that was purchased in the early 1960's, by "Papa" Tony Smaha, Sr.
Tony was preceeded in death by his father Antonin Vinicky, Sr. (Tony Smaha, Sr.), 2 half-brothers, including Jenda Smaha, world famous elephant trainer, who passed away on safari in Africa.
Funeral arrangements, and cremation services, are being provided by Rago-Baldwin Funeral Home, in Baraboo, WI.
A memorial service is planned for May 21, 2008 at Circus World Museum, pending approval, and also a full Masonic burial service will be performed. Tony's ashes are to be placed at the family burial plot near his beloved "Papa".
Cards, and letters, of condolences can be sent to Inga Vinicky (Smaha), S4232-A Hwy. 12, Baraboo, WI 53913

1 comments:

cwdancinfool said...

So sorry to hear of Tony's passing. The Smaha family was the first circus family I met when I went to work for the Anderson's Texas White Horse Troupe in 1969. Tony was an incredible person and I have many fond memories of time spent with them at their home in Baraboo. My heart goes out to Inga.

Jeannie