Thursday, January 14, 2010

R.I.P. Coney's 104 Year Old Strongman

Joe Rollino, a 104-year-old former Coney Island strongman known as "Kid Dundee" during his old days of boxing could've made it longer if not for being the victim of being hit by a minivan in Brooklyn this week. The Great Joe Rollino was a long time resident of Coney Island and member of the Association of Oldetime Barbell and Strongmen as well as the Iceberg Athletic Club for many years and worked with Strongman Steve to raise funds for Camp Sunshine.
(Image courtesy of Charles Denson)

The wake will be waked at Torregerossa located at 1305 79th street in Brooklyn. The number is 718-232-8844. Days and time are Thursday and Friday from 2 to 5pm and from 7 to 10pm. The funeral will be at Saint Bernadettes located at 8201 13th avenue. The number is 718-837-3400. Day and time is on Saturday at 9:45am. According the Coney Island USA message board, there is also a memorial being planned for Sunday near Nathan’s Famouse on Surf Avenue in Coney Island. But details are still not known at this time.

In a rare interview with
Coney Island History Project director Charles Denson, Rollino talks about his Coney Island memories where he knew Jimmy Durante and Houdini. Click here to listen to the interview.


At a Mighty 104, Gone While Still Going Strong [The NY Times]
Joe Rollino, Famed Coney Island strongman, 104 killed after minivan hit [NY Daily News]

No comments: