The success of every amateur sport lies with its volunteers and 5 pin bowling is no exception. While literally thousands of individuals have filled this volunteer role, Hamilton’s Marie and Murray Neath hold a special place in our history and our growth.

As is the case with many of our volunteers, Marie and Murray followed their three children, Richard, Terri-Lynn and Earl into the Youth Bowling Council (YBC) program at Bowlero Lanes in Hamilton. While Murray became a teaching master as a member of the Master Bowlers’ Association, Marie assumed the role of YBC Program Director. This involvement was an important part of the bowling centre operation and fully supported by the proprietor, Stella Dombrowski. Marie held this position for fifteen years, while Murray was a master bowler for more than twenty-five years.

In 1988, both Marie and Murray joined the Hamilton 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association, initially as representatives of Bowlero Lanes. Over the past thirty years, this couple have become the “perfect“ volunteers, individuals who are just there to help. In 1993, they took over the social committee and over time, co-ordinated monthly euchres and also the annual hockey pool, both of which earned thousands of dollars for the Association. The following year, 1994, Murray accepted the onerous job of Lane Certification Chairman and for several years, certified all ten centres within the zone, including the forty-eight lanes at Sherwood Centre. In recognition, Murray was honoured provincially as Lane Certification Agent of the year in 2006. In later years, they have also become part of the local Hall of Fame committee, the Kids Help Phone program and the zone tournament committee. It is through the tournament committee, that many of us will recognize Marie and Murray at the provincial Open in Hamilton. Not only has Murray been a Judge of Play on several occasions, he also joins Marie at the front and back door, greeting the bowlers and selling programs and guest admissions. Moreover, in the early days, their volunteer time didn’t end with the last game of the day as both Marie and Murray would transfer their efforts to the Hamilton hospitality room. This room was a “must visit“ for all the bowlers and guests from across Ontario and Marie was also instrumental in preparing the available snacks as well. With Marie and Murray as part of the zone team, the Hamilton association was “Zone of the Year“ under Ann Depew in 1987 and 1988, John Conti in 1997 and 1998, and Bob Coulter in 2004.

Both Marie and Murray are Competitive Coach Trained (old Level Two certified) coaches and Murray used this certification to some success. In 1997, he coached the ladies’ team from Bol-O-Drome Lanes in Hamilton to a provincial championship in the Scorecard Holiday Classic. This victory earned Marie and Murray a trip to Florida and a well-deserved vacation. A year later, Murray also coached the young ladies from the Youth Challenge to the 1998 Ontario Winter Games in Peterborough. Murray has also contributed at the national level as he coached the bowlers from Nova Scotia when they visited Ontario to bowl in the Inter-Provincial national finals.

The bowling industry has recognized this powerful couple. Initially, Bowlero Lanes recognized Marie and Murray with a fifteen year service award. Also, the Hamilton 5 pin Bowlers’ Association bestowed life membership on this couple in 1999 and in 2005, they were among the first twenty individuals to be inducted into their zone Hall of Fame. As well, the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association recognized Marie and Murray with a twenty-five year service award in 2013.

It is important to note that this volunteer contribution does not just involve our sport of 5 pin bowling. Murray volunteers for the local Diabetic Association and also, to this day, Marie and Murray both give twenty hours a week to St. Peters Hospital, a long-term care centre. From this group, Marie and Murray received a 2017 Service Award for Geriatric Excellence. When asked what reward they receive for their efforts, both of our honourees tonight responded in unison, “the smile on the faces of the patients is all we need“.

Be assured, in Marie and Murray Neath, volunteerism takes on a human face and we are all better for their efforts.