My father, Jose Richardo Gattoni, known as Baron Gattoni, arrived in the U.S. in 1948 or '49. His real family name is spelled GATTONE. He was of Italian heritage and was brought up as a boy and a young man in Buenos Aries, Argentina. There, he excelled in academics and sports. He competed in track and field events, bicycling, wrestling and weightlifting, where he broke every record, especially in weightlifting, where he lifted over 300 lbs. with one arm, from the ground to overhead, in one quick snatch! I have the news article and the picture. He never lost his fierce love of that land.

Details about his family were made available to me through a very unique set of circumstances during the holiday season of 2000. I was dining at Ilio DiPaulo's restaurant with my girlfriend at the time in Blasdell, N.Y., when I (literally) bumped into Dick Beyer, known as the Destroyer. We have, over the years, met up with each other from time to time at many functions as well as my bringing Promoter Pedro Martinez also (Ilio's father-in-law), whom I lived with in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to the restaurant as well. Dick told me that someone had asked him if he knew the "Baron," and, ultimately, this person contacted me. The very next day, I was contacted by a person who asked me if I were, indeed, the Baron's son, and that I had family in Buenos Aires, and asked if I wanted to get to know them! I have those emails, and I thank Mr. Dick Beyer, "The Destroyer," for making a meeting possible. I went to Buenos Aires in March of 2001 and met them all. It was incredible. In many circles, he was, and still is, a National Hero. He is remembered, loved, revered, respected and missed. I met the President of Argentina, and he told me that Richardo was incredibly strong-Superhuman, not from this world! I have heard things like that before and have witnessed many times, as did many from this area, remember him easily lifting cars, trucks, and doing feats of strength like bending a penny between his fingers or smashing an olive pit under his thumb. After a tractor failed to pull a tree out of the ground, he pulled it out by himself by hand! He saved a friend's life when a car (a large Buick) fell off a jack, and my dad caught the car before it crushed his friend under it.

Articles about him appeared in Boxing Illustrated 8/60, Boxing and Wrestling 7/64-4/62 and The Ring 6/54 wrestling as you like it 10/54 and so many more. He held the World Tag Team Championship in 1959 with Karol Kalmikoff and many more that I don't have track off. He traveled the world many, many times during his fabulous career. He owned a restaurant which I helped out in, a farm with animals-goats, chickens, etc., but he to this day is remembered for his many Charitable Contributions, fund raising activities, and civic activities. He was very politically involved as well contributing to Richard Nixon's Presidential campaign and meeting with President Nixon as well. He always would end up at a local hospital to, in his own words, "make kids get better." I would accompany him often during those visits. Our home was always a happy place. He was crazy about my Mom Evelyn, and she often told me that Dad was her "hero." We often went on cruises; I don't remember to where, there were so many-but, luckily, I have transferred the old 8mm movies to VHS, and all I can see is me running around on the deck of ships. I had a brother, Raymond, who died at a very early age of complications of Juvenile Diabetes. So far, I'm blessed with perfect health.

Little known facts about Baron Gattoni were that he was an expert in Classical Music, Opera, and Theater. Both he and my Mom played violin, but my Mom also played piano. He had a prodigious vocabulary, and, in addition to his native Latin, he spoke fluent English and French. He loved Mathematics and Philosophy and loved to spend time sketching; he was a fantastic artist as well. He loved boating, and he had a large cabin cruiser, a Chriss Craft, where he and my Mom held parties and get-togethers on. I would also follow in his footsteps and owned a few cruisers of my own over the years. His trademarks were his black beard, black cape, and now, for a very little known fact about pop, on his cape he wore a gold crown. He told me that he "made it look almost like the Cadillac crown!" That's all he owned were Cadillacs; I understand he had 36 of them. I won't tell anyone that he also had a '62 Oldsmobile Starfire! Sorry, Dad.

I have many artifacts from him. Articles, videos, family movies, wrestling licenses, passports, a Sports Card, the metal plates used in printing the sports cards, military papers, certificates, and the Japanese Sash he was wearing in the picture I sent you from Japan! I also have the Buffalo Wrestling Bell-My dad was also the Ring Manager-Pedro wanted that bell desperately.

I'm Rick Gattone, the lone Gattone here in the States. I live in Buffalo, N.Y. I announce pro wrestling shows all over the U.S., televised and live, and have worked as a manager! And, I am involved in local politics, as I am the Ward Chair-Lovejoy District, and I have had the opportunity to meet Mr. Bush and recently met with Governor Pataki. I'm divorced now for about 10 years and have no kids, except I have a dog, a Schipperke named Skippy. I drive a Cadillac. Maybe someday there will be a Baron Gattoni Fan Club where folks who knew and remember him would have a place.

Percival, please continue to get better! I'll say a prayer for you. Thanks you very much for interest in my dad. Best Regards, my friend,

Rick Gattone.