Fred Smith has completed an outstanding thirty-five year career as a volunteer with the Hamilton and District 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association.

Born in Toronto in 1921 and, as he approaches his eightieth birthday, Fred can look back at a life that not only saw dedication to our sport, but also his family, his country and his job. Fred joined the Armed Forces in 1942 and was "at the front" as a tank driver with the British Columbia Regiment. Fred returned home in 1946 and met his future wife, Loretta, who was working in a local wine store. They married later that year and had three girls, Colleen, Sharon and Linda.

While both Fred and Loretta had their roots in Toronto, Fred’s company, S.F. Bowser, was moving to Hamilton and the steel city became the benefactor of Fred’s talents. In 1952, he joined Brewers Retail remaining with them until his retirement in 1985.

Fred actually joined his first bowling league in 1953 at Westdale Lanes and as well as playing hockey, Fred bowled in five leagues a week. With the organization of the Hamilton 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association in 1962, a system of house councillors was introduced and Fred assumed that role at Westdale in 1966. Further advancement followed and, in 1968, Fred was elected Vice-President of the zone association and advanced to the presidency a year later. Prior to assuming the top job in the association, Fred worked with the president at the time, Ken Edge and his wife Phyllis, to originate the very successful Hamilton Bowlers’ Ball, an annual sold out affair to celebrate the success of the local association and the growth of 5 pin bowling across the province. This outstanding event consisted not only of a dance, but several skits, which were choreographed by Fred and Loretta, were presented each year.

Harold Buchner succeeded Fred as president in 1974 but, following his untimely passing, Fred re-assumed the presidency for a short time before passing the torch off to Henry Pachvlec. A scholarship fund, that still continues today, was established in Harold’s honour and has awarded over $30,000 to advance the educational efforts of Hamilton’s youth bowlers. Fred also worked with the Youth Bowling Program at Westdale Lanes for nine years. Following the closing of that centre, Fred took the entire program to University Lanes in Dundas and continued as Program Director for four more years and, during this time Fred was also a member of the teaching division in the Master Bowlers Association.

Fred remained with the local association and in a variety of roles, serving as Chief Councillor and Public Relations Chairman. Subsequently, Fred has been the Booster Club Chairman and sold a one hundred kit each year for twelve years and earned provincial honours in 1991. When the Hamilton Association began to promote Kids-Help-Phone, Fred was part of the committee that now raises nearly $30,000 each February.

Fred joined the provincial board in 1970 and served on the tournament committee for another three years. At this level, Fred’s talents in the beer industry were fully recognized as he became the coordinator for beer distribution both at local and provincial levels and specifically the Provincial Open.

Fred has received an Appreciation Award from the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association and also a Life Membership from the Hamilton 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association in 1980 and recognition from the annual Crippled Children’s Tournament, which was held in Hamilton for many years.

Unfortunately, Fred’s life partner, Loretta, passed away earlier this year and, to cope, Fred has renewed his interests in several lesser passions. Included are the Ancaster Optimist Club, the Royal Canadian Legion and the 447 Wing of the Air Force Club. With his three girls, there are seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. An excellent craftsman, Fred has used leftover wooden bowling pins as the focal point for personally made bowling pins for each of them. Finally, Fred is a collector of beer and liquor glasses and other seldom used articles from the beverage business but, most of all, his fondest collection will be his memories from the bowling industry.