Tony Blanco has passed. Details on his FB page.

He was a spot-on professional, with an enduring love of magic, the allied arts and performing. He was generous, wise, thoughtful and supportive to many many performers over his 52 years.

Very sorry to hear this.

Another one of the good guys gone far too soon!

Robert

Tony was a great guy, very interesting too.

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?sectio......=8681090

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Tony Blanco, a popular entertainer in the Valley, passed away this week after losing a battle to colon cancer. Blanco cast a spell on those who watched him perform in the Valley for decades.

This is how Paul Gross wants people to remember his long-time friend, Tony Blanco: poised, funny and magical. "It was Tony's personality. He was kind of a cross between Willy Wonka and Professor Magorium. He had the big top and big goatee," said Gross.

Gross owns Fresno's magic supply store, Hocus Pocus. He met Blanco 20 years ago and hired the local magician to help him with the business and the two become fast friends. Gross said, "Tony was a great guy. Tony was a ball of energy. If you described him he was always on the go. He could do everything. He was a juggler, a magician, a mime and a puppeteer.

During his career Blanco even appeared as part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He also performed on the Las Vegas casino circuit. When those gigs dried up, he returned to the Valley to conjure up another audience.

Blanco loved performing for children and held shows for children at Fresno County Library's Summer Reading Program. Kari Johnson with the library said, "I think they just loved his personality. He was a master magician. He had a great sense of humor he loved entertaining the kids and brought smiles to everyone's' faces."

Very sad to hear about Tony's passing. Eerily sad in that I just returned home from a 5 day gig over the Memorial weekend to 535 emails, one of which was Tony's acceptance of Facebook friendship. My condolences to his wife and family.

Doc

Tony was a GREAT entertainer.

Very sorry to hear about Tony. He was good people and a great magician...