Prompted by his younger brother and Hall of Famer Ron, Gerry was introduced to 5 pin bowling as a pin boy at Waterloo Lanes. The pay was two cents a game and ten cents for a team of five, which was a strong motivation.

The pin boys were anxious to bowl themselves and the proprietor, Hall of Famer, Bob Totzke, also wanted to keep the youth involved. Bob started a pin boys’ league on Saturday morning, and this was before the beginning of the Youth Bowling Council (YBC). Adult bowlers, such as Hall of Famers John Moyer and Orv Bauman, along with George Yorke would attend to offer instruction. During this time, Johnny Moyer introduced the benefits of a backup ball delivery to upgrade Gerry’s skill level. Bob Totzke also hired Gerry to work behind the counter at Towne Bowl and this experience gave Gerry more time to practice. In his later teen years, Gerry won the zone round of the YBC 4 Steps to Stardom and finished third in the provincial finals in Toronto, losing to Wayne Hein.

Born in 1949, Gerry entered the adult ranks in the 1970’s and enjoyed considerable success. Locally, he was a member of the Towne Bowl team in the Western Ontario Inter-City League. Sixteen teams enjoyed a home and away format in a 32-week schedule. Gerry’s teammates were Clayton Neeb, Dave Cattanach, Ross Lederman, and Hall of Famer Bill Boettger as the anchor. This group were champions for several years. Gerry also won the prestigious high average title in this league on two occasions. Over time, Gerry bowled several 400 games and a rare 1100+ triple. As a 15 year-old in 1965, Gerry won the Canadian Junior Horseshoe Championship at the Canadian National Exhibition, no doubt using some of his bowling skills in the process.

Gerry partnered with Pat Millard to win the doubles event in one of Bob Totzke’s “All Events” tournaments. Gerry also won a singles event and a team title. Be assured, all the top provincial bowlers participated in this event.

Gerry joined the Master Bowlers’ Association (MBA) and bowled in the Open as conducted by the Ontario Bowlers’ Congress. In the MBA, Gerry bowled from 1970-1979 in the tournament division posting a 250.38 average. He also tried the teaching division and the senior tour in his later years. On the lanes, Gerry won the Oktoberfest tournament in 1972 and qualified for the MBA Provincial team in 1975, competing in Vancouver.

In the Open, Gerry qualified 11 times, with four years as a singles representative, six years on the Men’s team and five Mixed teams. The 1973 Kitchener-Waterloo men were provincial champions and bronze medal winners in Winnipeg. Along with Gerry were Dave Cattanach, Bob Miller, Orv Bauman, Elmer Hohl and Bill Boettger.

Gerry married Linda Hammond in 1971 and together they raised two children. In time, family and work took over Gerry’s on lane bowling priorities. In the mid 1980’s, Gerry, with his brother Ron, became proprietors as they purchased Waterloo Lanes. Gerry, while keeping his regular employment at the Michelin Tire Company, remained at Waterloo from 1985-2003, before turning it over to his younger brother Dave.

At Waterloo, Gerry helped to form a decentralized association, as well as being President. He was given a lifetime membership in 1995. Gerry was also President of the Zone C proprietors for several years and the zone representative for the Masters. Gerry also worked with Hall of Famers Ernie Roggie and Bill Boettger on several issues, including the early instruction program.

As a legend in our sport, Gerry has continued his role as a dedicated ambassador of 5 pin bowling. A wrist injury in 2003 has limited his on-lane activity. Currently, Gerry and Linda live in Grand Bend and they have five grandchildren to monitor. As well as bowling in a weekly bowling league in Zurich, Gerry is an ardent fan of the Detroit Red Wings and visits the Motor City on several occasions each year.