In Memory of Franz "Señor Tihany" Czeisler - CircusTalk

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In Memory of Franz “Señor Tihany” Czeisler

Franz Czeisler, affectionately known as “Señor Tihany,” grand illusionist and founder of the Brazilian Tihany Circus Spectacular, passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, nearly at the age of 100. In his lifetime, he along with his wife, Ilona Czeisler, created a circus enterprise that entertained 35 million people over 50 years.

He was born on June 29, 1916 in Ketegy Haza, Hungary to Ludwig and Maria Czeisler (nee Deutch) and was a Las Vegas resident since 1985. Franz is preceded in death by his parents who survived the Holocaust; his wife; and his brother Bela, who died in the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. He is survived by son, Ludwig (Carmen) Czeisler of Henderson, NV; two grandchildren, Alejandro (Sandra Silva) Czeisler of Las Vegas and Catherine (Jose) Ortero of Columbus, OH; four great-grandchildren, Diego, Monica, Aaron, and David; and nephew Tibor (Mirela) Fridman of Haifa, Israel. Franz was a Holocaust Survivor.

He started his career as an illusionist in his native Romania-Hungary. In the early 1950s, he immigrated to South America. In 1955 he established his own 4000-seat Circo Tihany, featuring his magic show and one of the world’s most successful revue-style tent-shows.  Czeisler was designated as the “International Ambassador of the Arts” by the Hungarian Parliament in May 2015. He received the keys to the Cities of Sao Paulo and Las Vegas and was named Circus Ambassador of the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque on the occasion of the celebration of his 93rd birthday. He was a lifetime member of the Magic Castle. He presided as head juror at numerous circus festivals, including the Budapest Circus Festival, the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo, and the Beijing Circus Festival. He was a member of the Circus Hall of Fame in Sarasota, FL. He received the Señor of Distinction Lifetime Achievement Award. ”Our mentor, our friend, your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure”, Siegfried & Roy.

Funeral services will be at 10:00am on Sunday, March 6, 2016 at King David Memorial Chapel, 2697 E. Eldorado Lane, Las Vegas, NV. Burial will follow at King David Memorial Cemetery. King David Memorial Chapel handled the arrangements.

Source: Dignity Memorial

Link to More Information about Czeisler on Circopedia.

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