by Allen Tipton » Mar 31st, '12, 12:40
Cesareo Pelez after a lengthy battle with congestive heart disease has died aged 79.
He died on 24th. March--Houdini's Birthday
Born in Cuba he escaped after Castro took over, disguised as a priest.
With a string of educational qualifications he emigrated to the USA in 1962.
Became a Professor of Psychology at Salem State College in 1972 and remained in this post till he retired in 1996
For Magicians:
He with others bought the Cabot Street Cinema/Theatre and founded The Le Grand David Magic Company, which he headed with a young David Bull; who became his godson. They used many people from the locality as other members of the Company. The Show was a spectacular one, inspired by what Cesareo had seen in South America; mainly the Fu Manchu show.
All the props, decorated in Oriental style, the tabs, the scenery were made by the locals under his dynamic personality and organisational ability.
It was a 2 hour spectacular production, headed by Cesareo & David Bull plus a youngster (now grown up in the Company) called Seth,
Like its founder--the Show has become legendary. They even performed at the White House.
At the end of each performance the Company would rush round to the front of the house to line up and say, thank you & goodbye to their audiences.
A stroke stopped him performing,briefly, in 2005 but he returned in 2006 and continued till 2009 when he was brought on, in a wheelchair, to take his final bow.
He was given many awards by the Magic World but his greatest award is his Legacy--The warmth & love in every person's heart & mind, that he ever worked with & of course--
The Le Grand David Magic Company, which goes on--from strength to strength
Rest in Peace Cesareo
A Magic Genius
Allen Tipton
Began magic at 9 in 1942. Joined Staffs M.S at 13. Nottm.Guild of M. (8 times President. Prog Director 20years)IBM. Awarded Magician of Month 1980 By Intern. Pres. IBM for reproducing Dante's Sim Sala Bim. Writes Dear Magician column for Abra. Mag.