Al Tomaini(1912-1962)
Al was the son of Santo Tomaini and Maria Bossone. He was one of seven
children, all of whom were normal with the exception of himself. At the
age of 12, he was taller than his father, who stood six feet and one
inch in height. He had a Great grandfather in Italy who was also a very
large Giant. His parents called in a physician who, by taking x-rays,
found that his pituitary gland was working overtime, causing him to
become a giant. With a height of eight feet, four and one-half inches
(weighing 356 pounds and size 27 shoes), Al spent most of his life as a
circus giant. He was working with a circus at the Great Lakes
Exposition in Chicago, in 1936, when he met his future wife - Jeanie
Tomaini. She was born without legs and was only 2'6" tall. After
retiring from the circus life, he and Jeanie settled in the circus
community of Gaint's Camp, Gibsonton, Florida. There he was an
extraordinary community booster, donating the town's first ambulance,
served as fire chief, helped build the community hall, and for a time
was president of the Chamber of Commerce. He was owner and operator of
Giant's Fish Camp, a TV repair shop, and a tourist-trailer court on the
banks of the Alafia River. His death in 1962 at 44 years of age, came
after extensive treatment for a pituitary tumor. He adopted his
children.