Clown at NYC Thanksgiving parade collapses, dies

WIS News ^ | NEW YORK (AP)

[ExxonPatrolUs]

NEW YORK (AP) - A clown suffered a fatal collapse in front of spectators at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Sixty-seven-year-old Robert Blasetti went into cardiac arrest as he made balloon animals at Sixth Avenue and West 39th Street on Thursday. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Spokesman Orlando Veras said Macy's was "saddened to report" that a parade marcher had suffered a medical emergency. He declined to say whether the man was a Macy's employee.

Also, a civilian New York Police Department worker also became fatally ill during the parade. He suffered an apparent heart attack while hooking up a vehicle to be towed off the parade route at West 57th Street and Sixth Avenue. He also was pronounced dead at a hospital.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

He died as he lived! He left this world doing what he loved—can anyone ask more?

[alexander_busek]

"A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants"

Regards,

[Vigilanteman]

Most of us, myself included, would be honored to be eulogized with the statement “he died doing what he loved” or “he died with his boots on.”

[Cvengr]

[jessduntno]

“he died with his boots on.”

Or, in this case, “he died with his giant red shoes on.”

[cripplecreek]

Well that wasn’t funny at all.

[massgopguy]

“Ridi Pagliacci ridi”.

[oh8eleven]

Chuckles Bites the Dust

[Oztrich Boy]

Did he feel funny before collapsing?

[saleman]

An acquaintance said “he had been feeling a little funny”!

Ba-Boom!

[LibertyRocks]

Here’s an article from the NY Post with more info. about Mr. Blasetti - and one nice pic of he and his wife, as well as a picture of him being transported by EMS (a picture I wouldn’t have included, myself...).

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/tragic_clown_collapse_emjQiZew4Nr8RNvnGOARON

[Gamecock]

Put on your costume, powder your face.
The people pay to be here, and they want to laugh.
And if Harlequin shall steal your Columbina,
laugh, clown, so the crowd will cheer!
Turn your distress and tears into jest,
your pain and sobbing into a funny face – Ah!
Laugh, clown,
at your broken love!
Laugh at the grief that poisons your heart!

[BlueLancer]

Your painted smile hides you still
While you search yourself within.
Yesterday and tomorrow's found,
Fused as one upon solid ground,
As all around the milling crowd
Confuse themselves with raging sounds
And their love's forgetfulness abounds.
So be thankful for your grease-painted clown,
If loneliness wears the crown
Of the Veteran Cosmic Rocker.

"Reflective Smile"
(Long Distance Voyager)
Moody Blues)

[ExxonPatrolUs]

Did he feel funny before collapsing?

No doubt. Shame on you. LOL.