Gretona Family
Posted By thecircusblog on July 5, 2011
I knew of this family, but never worked with them. The photo was from the late 1940’s. Note the cartoon like characters. I find that quite unique.
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thecircusblog
My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 4th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. I hope you enjoy the blog.Comments
19 Responses to “Gretona Family”
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Hi,
The pic you posted is my family when they were in the circus. Please email any details you have of their time in the circus.
Thanks
Ricci Gretona
Hi Ricci,
I grew up in Rochester, Indiana and lived a block away from your family. Shirley was my age and her sister Gloria (I believe) was her younger sister. I believe that Shirlley had an older brother who did the high wire act with his father Tony and his wife. I can remember when Shirley and Gloria were being trrained for the act and were working on a wire only 3 foot off of the ground. We would go down and try to wlak on the low wire, but were never successful, but had a good time.
What is your relation to Shirley?
Dave
Hi Dave.. My name is IVAN
Hi
Shirley is my Aunt. I grew up in Sarasota with my dad, Enrico (Ricci) Gretona and Gloria Gretona.
Ricci
I, too, grew up in Rochester, IN next door to the Gretonas when they lived on Monroe St. Later they moved to 14th St. Otto, his wife Gretel and children Ricci, Shirley and Gloria were celebrities. Shirley and I often played together, although I was 3 or 4 years older. Other circus families were the Lambertis and Zoppes. Otto gave me a publicity photo of the family that I donated to the Fulton County Museum in Rochester along with a few smaller shots. I also have a copy of a paperback book written by Rochester native, Francis E. Sanders, about the Cole Bros. Circus’ days in Rochester, where they were headquartered in winters from 1934 to 1940. It has numerous photos of the families mentioned, interviews, and research. I would be happy to give it to a Gretona family member who would like to have it.
Ruth,
I am Shirley Gretona’s son and I am interested in any family memorabilia as much was lost in moves. Even copies of anything you have would be greatly appreciated. Please email me if you would like to converse.
many thanks,
Kirk
Ricci & Kirk,
Shirley’s family and mine were friends for years. I am from Rossburg, Ohio. Our families met in Greenville, Ohio at the Darke County Fair in about 1950 when the Gretona family was playing at the fair. It was Shirley, Gloria, Ricky, Gretel, & Otto. Their high wire act was thrilling. I spent a week at Shirley’s house in Rochester, she then came to visit me in Rossburg. The Gretona family performed at the opening of Smith Chevrolet in Rossburg in about 1952. They also performed at Eldora Speedway outside of Rossburg. Otto carried my dad, Donn Smith, on his shoulders, across the wire. I traveled to various midwest fairs with the family for 2 weeks in about 1952. I have various pictures of these events.Where do you live? I am in Florida, near Sarasota. I had searched for Shirley for years after moving from Ohio to Florida. I learned that she passed away in her 40’s. Would love to visit with you. I loved your mother.
Kirk, I am a friend of your mothers and have lots of information and pictures to share. Where are you located? I am in Florida near Sarasota. Suzanne Smith Pratt
I, too, grew up in Rochester and was friends with Shirley. I have another friend who now lives in Florida, and she was friends with Shirley also. I understand Shirley passed away some time ago. I would love to keep in touch with anyone in her family. It was such a pleasure knowing her and coming to her home to try and walk the tight wire. Of course, we were not good and admired her and her family for their abilities and nerve.
A big hello.. Well I knew OTTO, Gloria, GRETONA.. This high wire act came to REVERE BEACH , Ma.. to preform on the sand on the beach.. My folks had a restaurant on the beach, and OTTO, GLORIA, & DAUGHTERS stayed at my house for meals ect. I will now find all pictures and letters… Please, please I have been looking for them for years…..regards, be well, Marsha
Please give my e-mail too Ricci Gretona or Shirley or Gloria…. I know them , they stayed at my house a lot on Revere Beach, Ma…… RMBC2114@msn.com Marsha Bowman
My grandmother lived on 14th street next to your family. As a small child I can remember visiting her and watching your family walking on a wire just a few feet off the ground. It was such an amazing sight for me that I can still remember it 75 years later. What joy it gave me to watch them. Often I would tell people about my experience at my grandmother’s house but they would not believe me. I’m so glad that there are others out there that enjoyed watching them as much as I did.
I am Gloria Gretona’s daughter and interested in any information you have.
please e-mail me.. Marsha Wartell Bowman says:
January 25, 2015 at 6:09 am
A big hello.. Well I knew OTTO, Gloria, GRETONA.. This high wire act came to REVERE BEACH , Ma.. to preform on the sand on the beach.. My folks had a restaurant on the beach, and OTTO, GLORIA, & DAUGHTERS stayed at my house for meals ect. I will now find all pictures and letters… Please, please I have been looking for them for years…..regards, be well, Marsha
Please give my e-mail too Ricci Gretona or Shirley or Gloria…. I know them , they stayed at my house a lot on Revere Beach, Ma…… RMBC2114@msn.com Marsha Bowman
Misty Servia to Gloria Gretona’s daughter please e-mail me RMBC2114@msn.com
thank you marsha bowman
I grew up in Rochester, IN and Shirley and I were great friends for years. We would get together as soon as they arrived back in town from being out on the road and she always had great stories to report. I thought her life was beyond exciting! She and I spent many nights upstairs in her room or out in the trailer. She let me drive her car before I was old enough to have a license and we took down a mailbox! Much of what I learned about life I learned from Shirley who was much more worldly than I. I loved her and also the rest of the family. Otto and Gretel were always wonderful to me. Sadly we lost touch in our 20’s. I tried everything I knew to locate her and was deeply saddened when my mother sent me a newspaper notice that she had passed away. The article gave no information about her family so I never knew if she married, had children, etc. I have pictures and vivid recollections of our adventures together. Would love to hear from anyone, family or friends, who knew her and could fill me in on her life after her early 20’s. my email address is: bkkitty1@comcast.net Many thanks!
The Gretona Family lived across from my family in Rochester. Some members of the family played tennis on our court. I went to school with a number of Circus family members. I was very young but remember the night of the Circus fire very well. Clyde Bady was a close friend of our family when he was in town. Those are days I will always remember.
I was in school at Columbia with Enrico in the sixth grade. My friends and I used to watch him practice after school when he lived on S. Main St.
I went to Columbia grade school in Rochester, Indiana. I remember when Gloria came into our classroom, but I don’t remember how old I was or what grade it was. It had to be between 1st and 5th grade (1950-1955?), I think. It was only for one year–or a part of a year. I never saw her after that.