CANADIAN MAGICIANS
ARCHIVE
- G -
Gawronski, Aidan 19--
Geisler, Robert
19--
Charter member I.B.M. Ring 17 Toronto
Giordmaine, John1898 - 1974
(b.September 26, 1898 - January 19, 1974)
(Giovanni Nicola Giordmaina)
Changed name to John Nicola Giordmaina then,
Father: Vincenzo Maria Giordmaina
Mother: Caterina Vassallo
Children: Joseph Anthony Giordmaine B.A.,M.A.,Ph.D.
Schooling: Malta and London
First interested in magic: Age nine after seeing
Professor Joseph Sapiano at school picnic
Chose electrical engineering as profession
Age 13, learned to play Flute as hobby
In 1919 by means of Papaffy Fund of Malta,
immigrated to Canada to obtain Visa to U.S.A.
Liked Toronto so much, decided to stay,
Studied electrical engineering, worked for -
Swift Canadian Company Limited until 1929.
Continued flute lessons, took piano lessons,
and played in two amateur symphony orchestras.
During intermission Johnny used to perform -
short magic show. Orchestra leader, Dr. White, -
told him he was a better magician than musician and
should perform magic full time. He changed his -
name to Giordmaine, which rhymes with legerdemain.
His first performance took place in 1926 and the -
following year, he met Sid Lorraine who induced him -
to join the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Giordmaine then took the Tarbell Course by -
correspondence and received his diploma in 1929.
In 1930, he started presenting magic on a regular -
Giordmaine sold magic tricks at the Yonge Street -
Arcade's Japanese Magic and Novelty Store and-
later at the T. Eaton Company Limited of Toronto -
from 1930 to 1960. He became the first magician on-
John Giordmaine appeared on CBC TV's Howdy-
Doody show, Captain Kangaroo, Paul Winchell's -
Circus Time and in January 1957, appeared on -
In 1964/65 Giordmaine served as President of I.B.M.
Then on February 1, 1968 CBC made him the focus-
of "Telescope", the half hour programme, in Colour -
devoted to the life stories of noted Canadian -
Personages.. "The Magic Man" talked about -
his 40 yars in magic and showed his accumulated
Giordmaine appeared at many places of Social -
prestige in Canada, England, France, Italy, Malta and
The U.S.A., such as the Seigniory Club in Quebec,
Government House in Ottawa and the New York -
World's Fair. Lady Eaton, Eleanor Roosevelt, the -
Governor of Malta, two Governors-General of -
Canada and Prime Minister W.L. Mackenzie were -
just a few of the well-known people who enjoyed -
Giordmaine was a Knight of Malta. Member of -
St. Anelm's Parish and attended church daily.
John Giordmaine was also a charter member of,
The Society of Canadian Magicians, a member of -
the Society of American Magicians and the Inner -
Magic Circle with Gold Star.
Before his death, Giordmaine shared a rare tribute -
with his old friend, Sid Lorraine. Magicians in -
Oshawa, Ontario formed Ring 220 of the International -
Brotherhood of Magicians and named it, The John -
Giordmaine-Sid Lorraine Ring.
Gold, Jonathan
Gordon, Joseph19--
Charter member I.B.M. Ring 17 Toronto
Gueller, Pat19--
Gunnerson, Dean19--
World renowned Escape Artist
Gutt, Steve 1928 - 1998
Children:Erica, Anthony, John
I.B.M. #33177. Member I.B.M. Ring 17/Toronto, Ontario
As a small child, Steve learned to play accordian,
piano,violin and harmonica.
Spoke Slavic, English, French,German,
Polish and some Russian. Learned to read Hebrew -
on boat to Canada in 1950. Photographic memory.
Worked his way to uncle's farm in Niagara Falls, then to
Toronto to work for Continental Can for 35 years.
Loved to fix things, also loved puzzles and origami.
Retired at 60, designed and sold several magic effects.
Once invited to Prague to judge magic at convention.
Magic Specialities, cards,ropes and candles.
