The Problem Solver: In Memoriam

The balloon business lost two of it's own recently - one from the manufacturing side, one from the retail/decorating side.

Neil Tillotson

Though I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Tillotson, I have had the pleasure of using his balloons - Tilly Balloons. Imagine this, his life spanned three centuries! I am told this Vermonter met every challenge in life with Yankee ingenuity.

In the early 1920's after a stint in the Army and night school learning to be an engineer, Mr. Tillotson became fascinated with the potential of natural latex rubber as a material for manufacturing. He and some family members worked at home hand-dipping paper molds in latex. This was the start of a new invention - a balloon with ears and a printed feline face. The balloon became a big seller for Mr. Tillitson and soon was able to afford him the "luxury" of leasing his first factory for $5.00 a month! The beginnings of a multi-million dollar latex products company had begun.

Over time Neil Tillotson created a number of unusual shaped latex balloons that helped make him a very wealthy man. His empire grew to include real estate and he became a hotelier when he purchased a failing property in 1954. Nearly 50 years later, the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel is an institution in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire and so is Neil Tillotson.

Rocky Oliveto

Rocky had a long career in the military and along with his wife Sandy, began another career in decorating. One of his many duties was to plan parties and events at the base he was stationed at, and he was introduced to balloons because of this chore. Upon retiring, they started The Balloon Connection in Westhampton, NY on the easternmost shores of Long Island, New York.

Both Rocky and Sandy became accomplished decorators and their work has graced the pages of this magazine many times over. Their style in décor included balloons in tandem with foamboard, Styrofoam and other materials. The Olivetos have been most generous to us at BALLOONS & Parties by regularly sending us piles of photographs of their work to share with you, our readership.

This good deed of sharing their ideas paid off as they were this past year's Grand Prize winners of our Photograph Challenge. Though in failing health, Rocky packed his bags and he and Sandy drove to Disney World in accepting their Grand Prize trip. We are delighted to report he was also able to reunite with family members while on the trip as well.

We had the pleasure of seeing the Olivetos at balloon conventions (like The All Star Revue!) as well as being invited to teach at their local balloon network meeting. Sandy has vowed to continue in the balloon business and we look forward to seeing her at future events.

Rocky was buried with full military honors on Long Island not far from his home.

These were very brief stories of two fine men involved in the business of balloons. Both were successful, honorable and willing to share their knowledge and their time with others. They both excelled at their craft and understood the value of education as the keys to their success.

To the families and friends of Neil Tillotson and Rocky Oliveto we send our sympathies. May these two exceptional people rest in peace.