R.I.P. Tony Eng
May 6, 2008 Author: Alikzam | Filed under: magic newsI’ve been a part of the magic community now for 14 years and I’ve come to learn that magic isn’t about the tricks, or the props, but about the audience and the different people who contribute to magic. For me its never been about Houdini, Dai Vernon, or any of the past legends, but the people who have contributed to magic during my lifetime.
Tony Eng was a magician from Victoria BC and he owned “Tony’s Trick and Joke Shop”. I first met him at the IBM convention that was in Kelowna when I was 8 years old. I remember him encouraging me and spending time with me at the convention. We crossed paths again when I visited his shop, and at IBM conventions in Calgary and Vancouver. I didn’t know him very well, but I always knew that he played an important role in the magic community of North West Canada.
R.I.P. Tony. Your contribution to our world will never be forgotten.
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8 Responses for "R.I.P. Tony Eng"
I had the pleasure of being a guest in the Eng home, and of being completely fooled by his close-up magic. He was very generous, and will be remembered for his sense of humor and very strong magici. Very surprised to hear of his passing.
Aloha, Tony
Vic Brisbin
I heard that they kept the fact that he was getting sick hush hush from the magic community. We really did lose somebody special.
If you search the magic cafe, and google you’ll find many more posts about his passing and his funeral.
Your friend in magic,
Leif
Hi I am trying to find a magic trick shop in kelowna.
Anybody know of one???
Hey there Person, there isn’t any real magic shops in Kelowna. Kelowna Costume used to have a few small things for beginners (TT, coloring book, scarves, d’light, etc) but it was only a single very very small shelf. It isn’t a “magic shop” at all. To be honest, I’m not even sure if they have any of it left anymore.
Your best bet is to do what I do and order online. If you want to order “local” (ie: in Canada) you can order from:
Vancouver – http://www.clowninaroundmagic.com/ (Not very good for online shopping, but if you call them you can find out what they have in stock)
or in Calgary – http://www.vanishingrabbit.com/ (Discount for IBM members)
Most of the time however, I order my things from the magic depot – http://www.magic.org (check out http://www.magic.org/secrets/ for discounts!!) They’ve got great deals, free shipping, and the Aaron’s over there will take care of you. Tell them I sent ya
Seven years ago I walked into Tony’s shop to take a look around. He took my twenty and changed it to a fifty. Since then my life has been full of joy of giving the joy of magic.
Thanks Tony,RIP.
Great story Colin. Continued success with your magic
I first met Tony in 1986. He put me up in a trailer in his yard while I attended his class at the Premier Scool of Bartending. That spring of 1986, I was at that age of 19, looking for some direction in life. Tony not only put me up, but gave me work while I was there. His oldest girl taught me how to deal blackjack in his home and later that week Tony had me dealing at casino nights that he helped organize around Victoria. It was memorable and I made some much needed cash. On weekends Tony would take me with him while he performed his magic in a restraunt in Sooke. He was not only a great entertainer in magic but the most pleasantly funny guys I have ever known. He introduced me to Dim Sum too! (thanks Tony!)
I would stop by the shop everytime I came down to Victoria. the first time, it had to be almost 15 yrs since we first met each other, I stopped into the store. He looked over at me from his back office then came out and said, “Jody, how have you been?” I was overwhelmed! How could he remember my name after so long? Especialy since he had dealings with so many other people since then. He then took the time and graced us with his magic. My friend that was with me was in “awe”. I turned to him and said, “See what I mean? This guy is amazing!”
I am back in Victoria, and I am looking up Tony, so I can visit or just say hi, but I only find tributes to his memory. Rest in peace Tony. Sorry I missed you my friend.
I first had the pleasure of meeting Tony Eng at the Magic Dealers convention in 1992, I think it was held by Chuck Kirchner of Magic City. Tony was one of the Guests and was very enthusiastic about our release of the ITR. He was a customer of ours for many years and we would often talk magic on the phone. Tony was a class act and a very professional Magician, he will certainly be missed by many. I feel very lucky to have known Mr. Eng.
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