Hall Of Fame Inductee
Fred Pechaluk
Inducted into: Builder Division in 2013
Inducted into: Player Division in 1988
Location: Weston
Deceased: DEC
- Builder
- Player
As a bowler, Fred Pechaluk was inducted into the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers Hall of Fame in 1988. At that time, Fred was only one of thirty individuals to be so recognized.
Fred was originally introduced to 5 pin bowling in 1928 as a pinsetter at Roselawn Bowl in west Toronto. As he joined the adult leagues, he also began his administrative career as he became secretary of all the leagues in the centre.
In addition, Fred was the assistant secretary for the Canadian Bowlers Association , which was the organized arm of 5 pin bowling for the first fifty years of our sport. He also handled the statistics for the West Toronto Catholic and the Kodak Mens League for many years. In 1964, Fred, along with Earl Jones and Fred Halle, organized the York West 5 pin Bowlers Association and Fred was president for the first fourteen years. Supported by his wife, Ella, the York West Association awarded both of them life memberships in 1979.
During a bowling career that spanned thirty years, Fred bowled in two major leagues and carried an average as high as 279 and bowled in two Canadian Championships, thus leading to his induction as a bowler in 1988. Now, twenty five years later, Fred is recognized as a builder of our sport and becomes one of only thirteen individuals who have been dually recognized.
Fred Pechaluk enters the players' division of the 5 pin bowling Hall of Fame based on a 36-year career on the lanes.
First introduced to bowling at age eleven in 1928, Fred began as a pinsetter at Roselawn Bowl in west Toronto. Eventually, Fred became the secretary of all the leagues in the centre, experience that laid the foundation for Fred's later contribution to several leagues and the ultimate founding of the York west 5 Pin Bowlers' Association.
Fred bowled three or four times each week and from 1943-1967, he was a member of the Toronto City Major League representing several teams including the Roselandres, America Dry, Kodak, Associated Furniture, Seagram's and finally McGuiness. His highest average was 264, which he bowled in the 1963-64 season. Fred also bowled in the Willowdale Men's Major League and in 1964-65, he achieved his highest league average at 279.
On the national level, Fred bowled in the first Canadian championship in 1953, traveling to Regina with Herb Donaldson, Fred Turner, Jack Smith and Bob Reily. However, the eastern representatives lost by a mere 43 pins. Fred returned to his second Canadian championship in 1959 and bowling in Vancouver, the men's team was victorious. Fred's ten game average was 266. Once again Herb Donaldson was a teammate along with Dick Adams, Lorne Taylor, Percy Cutting, Tom Moxon and coach Bob Totzke.
Off the lanes, Fred also contributed to the growth of 5 pin bowling. As well as being assistant secretary of the CBA for three years. Fred handled the statistics for the west Toronto Catholic and the Kodak Men's League for many years. In 1964, Fred along with Earl Jones and Fred Halle, organized the York west 5 Pin Bowlers' Association, and Fred was president for fourteen years. Like so many bowling executives, Fred was joined by his wife Ella, who also worked tirelessly behind the scenes for the success of the association. In 1979, York west awarded both Fred and Ella life memberships in the association.
Today, they enjoy retirement between Toronto and Florida, where Fred still dabbles in activities such as bocce, no doubt using his five pin skills to good advantage.