Al Tomaini

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.