Memories Of John Tolos (by longtime Tolos Brothers fan club president Dr. Mike Lano)
I ran his fan club in the 60’s and 70’s and any of us who stayed close to him all those years to current are devastated by this. Last time we spoke about three weeks back, he sounded very weak on the phone. You could make out everything he said, but he was tired. And no doubt in a bit of a funk since in the last few years his near 100 year old beloved mom and brother Chris died (who he named his son after). Then the stroke that cruelly took away one of his many gifts- his speaking and promo skills; but he fought hard ala Bret to regain the speech and won.
Losing Buddy Rogers, Lou Thesz, Classy Freddie Blassie, The Sheik, Killer Kowalski-all long, long friends of his really hit hard too. At his last Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion he lamented losing so many good friends like Monsoon, etc and it was very poignant. His favorite promoter of all time to work for was Paul Boesch, where he took several trips away from Lebell and enjoyed himself he said for the first time in a long time, with a promoter.