| Al Tomaini | |
|---|---|
| Born | Aurelio Tomaini February 25, 1912 Long Branch, New Jersey, USA |
| Died | August 30, 1962 (aged 50) Gibsonton, Florida, USA |
| Cause of death | pituitary tumor |
| Nationality | Italian American |
| Other names | The tallest man in the World |
| Occupation | sideshow performer |
| Board member of | Chamber of Commerce |
| Spouse | Jeannie Tomaini (m. 1936–1962) |
| Parents | Santo Tomaini (father) Maria Bossone (mother) |
| Relatives | Alex Tomaini (grandson) PJ McDonnell (Grand Nephew) JP McDonnell (Grand Nephew) |
Al Tomaini (1912—1962), born as Aurelio Tomaini, he claimed a height of 8' 6½" (2.55 m); however Guinness World Records stated he was really 7'11" (223.5 cm.), but he may have stood 8'3½" (229.9 cm.) at one time.
Al was the son of Santo Tomaini and Maria Bossone. He was one of seven children. At the age of 12, he was taller than his father, who stood six feet and one inch (185 cm) in height. He had a great-grandfather in Italy who was also of abnormal height. 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".
Weighing 356 pounds (162 kg) and wearing 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 Cleveland, in 1936, when he met his future wife, Jeanie Tomaini. She was born without legs and was only 2 ft 5 in (76 cm) tall. After retiring from the circus life, he and Jeanie settled in the circus community of Giant'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 50 years of age, came after extensive treatment for a pituitary tumor. He adopted his children.
Although he was referred to as the "World's Tallest Man", the Guinness Book of World Records identifies that title holder as Robert Pershing Wadlow, 2.72 m (8 ft 11.1 in) tall.[1]