With personal sadness, I post tonight the passing of Chet Juszyk, our well-remembered wild animal trainer, friend, and mentor to many showfolks. Dick and Shirley McGraw called me this afternoon with the news, but were unclear on details they received from Eugene and Pat Goebel. Reached at home, Jo Juszyk, Chet's wife, said that he had fallen in the bathroom several days ago. The paramedics treated him for a cut to the eye, but further examination found Chet had sustained a broken hip. He was in severe pain, and asked to be allowed "to go home".
Chet Juszyk was the 2nd man to break in as a trainer of the big cats under the G.I. Bill. The first was the fabled Pat Anthony, who often said it took a literal act of congress, through a miracle by his Ohio congressman, to get his request approved. It was no easier for Chet. Both Anthony, and later Juszyk, were schooled by John C. "Chubby" Guilfoyle, who served as chief mentor. But both men also benefitted immensely from close association with Mabel Stark, the legendary tiger trainer, her two top animal attendants, Eddie Trees and Charles "Benny" Bennett, and master trainers Frank Phillips and Mel Koontz. Indeed, Juszyk succeeded to the point of being named Head Trainer, during the Billy Richards and Trader Horne era, when the revered operation was known as World Jungle Compound.
Along with all trainers who worked in the main arena, Chet realized the solid back wall, seen in the first photo here, formed a death trap. He directed the installation of a semi-circle of arena sections, held out from this wall by supporting rods, allowing rescuers a welcome opportunity to get behind a fallen trainer with prod poles to drive off attacking animals at the back of the cage. Aside from arena work, Chet also trained exotic animals for an impressive resume of motion picture sequences.
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8 comments:
Roger,
Great, great stuff, and it is indeed a sad day. Of all the great names you mentioned, Chet Juszyk is the only one I had the honor of meeting personally, when he and his wife stopped in at Edmond to see Lou Regan for a couple of days. Chet was in the meat business then and the stories he and Lou shared with me will be remembered forever. What a time, what an era!!!! Folks who were at Circus World remember it fondly, as James C. Hall and I remember Marineland and Game Farm fondly. The difference is "the Oaks" is invariably spoken of in reverent tones, befitting the Vatican, when ever the old school talked about it. Chet, Dick, Benny, Pat, Lou etc. etc. You were so lucky to inhale that special air Roger, and I envy you, but I am grateful I got a "taste" from my time with Lou Regan.
Wade Burck
I only saw Chet perform one time in Dayton, OH in 1963. Buckles introduced Joe Frisco Sr. and myself to Chet. It was a small building and Chet was only using five males in a small arena. My most vivid memory was watching Chet feed the cats. He was feeding heads that he'd split open -- said he learned about them from his days with the old timers at Thousand Oaks. He'd lift the door up pretty high and toss the food in -- exciting and everyone stayed inside their cages.
Years later I purchased a book from Chet. With the book I got a note asking if I knew Jules Jacot? I wrote back with a few memories of his act and that Jules' would mention him in high regard. I think Chet would spend some time around St. Louis, maybe Tom Packs dates, and they'd jackpot. Wish I could have heard the tales.
My sympathies to his family and friends.
Jim Alexander
In 1963 Barbara and I drove down to Florida from Hugo to check out the property her mother had purchased, part of which we reside on today.
While here we drove up to Kissimmee to visit Chet and Jo who had bought some land up there.
Bert, Marie and Sandy were wintering there with the former Ed Widamin elephants "Zetta", "Peggy" and "Dorothy" then owned by Larry Higgins.
As it turned out the place would flood during the rainy season and by 1965 he was back in California.
By then he was an animal dealer and handled the importation of "Tika" for Smokey, the last $3,500 elephant known to man.
Chet and Bert Pettus were great friends all thru the years. Chet did a great job with the female lion act from the Compound. The cats would bounce him right into he sides of the arena. His own act was very good. He was a nice fellow without any ego airs. He was certainly a reputable animal dealer. It was nice that following his awful accident with the cats that he could still be involved in the field. johnny
Buckles:
Growing up in St.Cloud,Fl I recall in the 60s someone had a cat act that wintered there.Could it have been Chet?It was perhaps 13 miles east of Kissimme,out in the country?
It might well have been, as to the exact location, some days I can't even remember where Circus World was.
John Milton,
I agree with you a thousand percent(that's twice in one year, so maybe hell has frozen over.) I didn't realize that Chet was also an animal dealer, as well as a meat procurer and animal book dealer. How fortunate he was to be able to keep his hand somehow, someway in the field that he loved.
How fortunate is the football player or jockey, who at the end of his illustrious career is able to continue as head coach, position coach, director of player personnel, analyst, sports caster, public relations, etc. etc. etc.
God bless you for what you still have in your heart and mind, Col. It is a wonderful dream that we both wish was reality.
Happy Wonderful 80th Birthday on Saturday, my respected friend.
Wade Burck
Buckles,
I can relate to your memory issue's, and as I am a few years younger, I would hope that you know that you can always count on me for help. Circus World was in Canton, Ohio.
Wade Burck
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