Born in England, Barb Worton moved, with her family, to Canada, settling in Thorncliffe Park in 1956.
Urged by his wife, Barb’s father “Jock” took Barb and her sister, Carol, to Thorncliffe Bowlerama and they joined the youth program for the 1959/60 season. The YBC program, as we know it, was started in 1963 and Barb was bowling under the banner of the Canadian Junior Bowling Congress conducted by Hall of Famer Jim Beaforth.
Barb enjoyed an event filled career in the YBC and as a six-year-old in 1960, Barb won her first trophy. She would continue to have high averages in the YBC and Barb bowled in the World Bantam in Guelph and the Four Steps to Stardom. As well, with the Master Bowlers Association, she bowled with Hall of Famer Percy Cutting in the Master Bantam and Jim Elliott in the Master Junior.
Moving to the adult ranks, her first involvement was the YBC Majors. Under the leadership of Hall of Famer, Walter Valentan, the YBC group held a classified event in three average classifications. In the 191+ division, Barb defeated Wendy Harding of Oshawa 1491-1371 to be part of a three-member team that proceeded to win a gold medal in Sudbury. As well, during the qualifying at Jane Park, Barb bowled a 448 single, her highest game.
In 1980, with encouragement from Hall of Famer, Theda Procher, she qualified for the provincial Open on a ladies team from the Agincourt zone. In total, Barb has qualified for the provincial final 40 times, the fourth highest of all time. In addition, she was the zone singles representative on 13 occasions. Moreover, in 1981 and 2018, Barb was on mixed teams that won provincial titles.
The 1981 team included Neil Harrison, an inductee tonight and the 2018 team included Iain MacLean, also inductee here tonight. The 1981 team bowled in Hamilton and the 2018 group competed in Gatineau, Quebec.
In the MBAO, she was equally successful. Barb joined the tournament division in 1981 and won the Spring Classic six years later and the male winner of that event was, again, Neil Harrison. In 512 games, she averaged 232, before turning her talents to the teaching and senior divisions of the MBAO.
In 2004 and 2005, she won the scratch sections of the Mid-Winter Blues and, in the seniors, was Bowler of the Year from 2005-2008 and she repeated as the pins over average champion in 2023. Bowling in Newfoundland, her teammate was Tracy Smith, another of tonight’s inductees.
Barb has complimented her 65 years on the lanes with contributions to the promotion of our sport. As well as being on the MBAO board for six years, she has coached in the YBC for 46 years, beginning at Thorncliffe, then Agincourt Bowl, Rouge Hill, Liberty Bowl and currently at NEB’s in Oshawa. Just this year, both Barb and her husband, Hall of Famer, Dave Johnson, received 45-year pins for their YBC efforts.
Barb devoted her working career to IBM, specializing in Human Resources. In 2017, she married Dave and today, as well as travel, they enjoy their new condo on the shores of Lake Ontario in Newcastle. In a blended family, Barb’s daughter, Jessica and Dave’s children Shannon and Ryan have all built successful careers.