Mr John Cadona

His Amusements Are Fair Ground Tradition

Mr. John Cadona well known amusement caterer and one of two surviving sons of the late Mr. William Cadona, founder of Cadona’s Amusements, died at his home at 216 Smithycroft Road Riddrie, on Monday morning. He was 62 years of age.

Mr. Cadona had been in the amusement business all his life. At an early age he assisted his father in the running of fairs and carnivals in which he was an acrobat of no mean repute.

Those were the days when his father’s “Ghost illusions” were at the height of their popularity, and when the roundabouts were pulled by little ponies.

Later he made extensive tours of Scotland and the north of England with his own amusement unit which included the famous Wall of Death, the roundabouts, and many other entertainments which have come to be associated with the tradition of the fair ground.

For many years during the Fair Holidays he held the annual Carnival at Bellahouston,, the present site of the White City Greyhound Racing Company, and his Christmas Carnivals at the Kelvin Hall Glasgow, and the Waverley Market, Edinburgh, will be remembered by many.

Mr. Cadona lived in Riddrie where he had his garage and repair shop, for about six years.

Mr. Cadona is survived by his widow and a family of six, three sons and three daughters, all of whom will carry on the business.

Mr Nathaniel Cadona who lives in Paisley, is now the only survivor of the late Mr William Cadona Senior.

Taken from the Eastern Standard 27th November 1948

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