He clowned for a lifetime while helping raise a half-dozen future circus stars. Paired with his wife, Connie, who was one of the first performing female clowns, the couple amused audiences on more than 30 shows over half a century while also bringing five talented daughters and a son into the circus world. All of the offspring, Penny, Trudy, Joanne, Linda, Donna and Dime, Jr. pursued circus careers and became notable performers, specializing in clowning, aerial and animal acts.