Hall Of Fame Inductee
Charlie Hill
Inducted into: Builder Division in 1988
Inducted into: Builder of the Bowling Industry in 1976
Location: Mississauga
Deceased: DEC
- Builder
- Industry
In 1976, the bowling industry honored Charles Hill for his contribution to our sport. Tonight, Charlie Hill takes his rightful spot with his induction to the Hall of Fame.
Born in Toronto in 1908, Charlie’s first job with the Bank of Commerce also introduced him to bowling, beginning at Karry’s in 1926. His professional career, however, took Charlie away from bowling as he became the youngest hotel manager in London, England as well as traveling the world as executive assistant to the managing director of the hotel chain.
Following the second war, Charlie returned to Canada and began an eight-year term as president of the Canadian Bowling Association. During his term, he introduced several innovations that are part of five pin bowling today. Charlie fought to standardize the ball size and most important of all, he made the contact with Western Canada to conduct the first true Canadian championship. Pitting east against west, the first eastern representatives were Hall of Famer Tommy Mallon in the singles and tonight’s inductee Fred Pechaluk on the team.
With the CBA, Charlie helped institute bowling for the blind at their annual event and also opened up handicapped divisions to encourage participation for the low average bowler. As well, Charlie was a close friend of the founder of five pin bowling, Tommy Ryan, and he benefited from his advice on many matters.
A man of many stories, Charlie continues to live in Toronto. He always has a twinkle in his eye and a sparkle in his voice. He is renowned among his contemporaries as a witty raconteur, with a fund of stories and many anecdotes about well known people. He is famous for his inimitable collection of English humour. He will be long remembered, both as an individual and as a bowling pioneer.
Charles “Charlie” Hill, also known as Prez, was born and educated in Toronto more years ago than he cares to mention. His first job, after leaving school, was with the Canadian Bank of Commerce for 3 years and then he worked for his father in the family contracting business. Shortly after, he became the youngest hotel manager in London England and travelled across the world on hotel business as Executive Assistant to the Managing Director of an English Hotel chain.
He returned to Canada to manage the family business which had been founded by his father in 1896 and now owns and operates the concern. His first contact in bowling was in 1926 with a team in the Bank of Commerce League at Karrys Terauley Lanes. He bowled in the old City Major League for many years, as captain of the Brunswick 5 pin team. In the early fifties, he became a member of the 10 pin team which became the power in the City of Toronto and participated in the ABC Tournaments in the United States.
He served as first Vice-President of the Canadian Five Pin Bowling Association for a year and followed that up with eleven consecutive years as President. He initiated talks with Western Canada bowling executives regarding the national scoring system and was instrumental in bringing about the first East-West 5 Pin Competition for a Canadian Championship.
Charlie Hill helped institute bowling for the blind in the annual C.B.A. Tournaments and also opened up handicapped divisions to encourage participation by lower average bowlers in sponsored events. While President of the Metro Toronto 10 Pin Association, he visited the headquarters of the American Bowling Congress in Milwaukee and familiarized himself on its operation. As a close friend of Tommy Ryan, creator of the game of 5 pin bowling, he benefitted from Mr. Ryan’s advice on many matters.
During his term of office, he started the decentralization program and allocated important assignments to the Vice President in many areas. This helped train new executives, many of whom are still active today.
The democratic entertaining Charlie Hill has remained a bachelor and lives in an apartment in Toronto. He always has a twinkle in his eye and a sparkle in his voice. He is renowned among his contemporaries as a witty raconteur, with aa fund of stories and many anecdotes about well known people. He is famous for his inimitable collection of English humour. He will be long remembered as a man and as a bowling pioneer.