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1-7 of 7
- Grady Stiles, Jr. came from a long line of people with ectrodactyly, or "lobster claw" syndrome. His hands were split down the middle and fused to form two-digit "claws", his feet were small flipper-like appendages and his legs were shortened. Grady was born in Pittsburgh in 1937 and inherited his condition from his father, Grady Stiles, Sr. Grady could not walk and used a wheelchair in public, but could crawl around on his incredibly powerful arms and could perform nearly any task using his "claws". He was married twice to Maria Teresa Herzog and once to Barbara Browning and had four children, two of whom, a boy and a girl, also had lobster-hands. When his eldest daughter Donna was engaged to marry a boy of whom Grady disapproved, Grady shot and killed the boy. However, Grady escaped a prison sentence on the grounds that no prison was equipped to handle his disability. Although he was very strong, he exploited his handicap in order to gain sympathy. He was given fifteen years probation, and soon after the trial re-married Mary Teresa and continued to physically abuse his family. In 1992 Mary Teresa mentioned to Grady's son-in-law, a blockhead, that "something" needed to be done about Grady's abusive behavior, and he in turn hired a neighbor to kill Grady in the family's trailer in Gibsonton. Fred Rosen's Lobster Boy offers a biography of Grady Jr. and descriptions of both trials. The remaining Stileses still reside in Gibsonton, but are private people who are, understandably, not affiliated with the sideshow. Cathy is married to carnival worker Tyrill Berry and the couple have a daughter, Misty, who was born without legs and ectrodactyly in her hand. "Little Grady" has a normal daughter, Sara. "Grady Stiles and his daughter ran a single-O with one carny where I had the side-show concession and they did better than I did with ten acts. Grady thinks the world of his daughter; if she had been normal, it would have broken his heart. He shows himself first and then charges extra to bring her out. The Stiles aren't as unique as some freaks I've seen, but the public loves them." -Joseph Hilton
- Grace McDaniels suffered from severe facial deformity; she appeared in Harry Lewiston's sideshow (for $175 a week) billed as "The Mule-Faced Woman". Her appearance reportedly caused some in the audience to faint. Despite her personal misfortune, those who knew her described her as a very kind, loving person. She eventually married, and the union produced a son who eventually became his mother's business manager and traveled with her until her death. A documentary film about Grace McDaniels was produced in 1950, but never released. More information about (and a photo of) Grace McDaniels can be found in Frederick Drimmer's fascinating 1973 book, "Very Special People".
- Jeanie Tomaini was born on 23 August 1916 in Blufton, Indiana, USA. She was married to Al Tomaini. She died on 10 August 1999 in Gibsonton, Florida, USA.
- Spencer Snow was an actor, known for Necessary Roughness (1991). He died on 17 June 2014 in Gibsonton, Florida, USA.
- 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.
- Dolly Reagan was born in 1919 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. She was married to Percy Pape and Pappy Reagan. She died on 28 April 1991 in Gibsonton, Florida, USA.
- Chuck Osak died on 24 January 2008 in Gibsonton, Florida, USA.