Hanover Park man always one to clown around

In October, John McConnell of Hanover Park reached the pinnacle of his profession: He received a lifetime achievement award from the Midwest Clown Association.

Mr. McConnell, known professionally as Buster the Clown, passed away Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. He was 62.

A 13-page document supported his award, and he received it in front of several hundred peers at their annual clown convention, held this year in Oconomowoc, Wis.

Some of his more high-profile jobs included appearances in Chicago Bulls' pregame entertainment, in the Disney parade in Orlando and as Santa for six seasons at the former Marshall Field's on State Street.

But he also appeared at many local venues, including Fuddrucker's, Baker's Square, PetSmart and Kohl's, as well as the Spring Garden restaurant in Hanover Park.

Mr. McConnell "was a great clown," says John Joseph of Arlington Heights, past president of the Midwest Clown Association. "He was very innovative, especially with balloons and face painting."

As Buster, Mr. McConnell regularly appeared at Streamwood's Summer Celebration festival and the Streamwood Park District preschool fun fair, where he'd arrive with several tricks up his sleeve, from his rabbit, to scarves to magic wands.

"His standard opening line to the kids was, 'Want a can of Pringles?'" teacher Deb Sylvester recalls. "And when they all said yes, he'd say, 'Later.'"

That was his icebreaker. Once he finished his act, and finally opened the can of Pringles, a cloth snake jumped out instead, drawing howls from the children.

"My grandson laughed so hard, it was a belly laugh," Sylvester said.

Clowning was a family affair. Mr. McConnell followed his mother, sister and niece into the business. In fact, he and his sister, Ilene Smith, known professionally as Bingo the Clown, wrote a book on ballooning and taught many classes at clown conventions, colleagues say.

Mr. McConnell was viewed as a master clown, and consequently he was called upon to judge clown competitions around the Midwest. In 1987, he was inducted into the Midwest Clown Association's Hall of Fame.

Friends said Mr. McConnell began his career as a traditional whiteface clown, similar to Bozo, before later branching out and playing a down-and-out tramp. His most recent interpretation was that of an Auguste clown, or one constantly pulling pranks.

Fellow association members fondly remembered Mr. McConnell's latest role as bumbling Herb the Magician, who appeared with only half a mustache, the result of another of his tricks that had backfired.

Services have been held.