Harold Stoddart joined the Canadian Air Force in 1954 at the age of eighteen and, in a thirty-two year military career, began a bowling involvement that continues to this day. As part of basic training, the young cadets were offered some sports options and five pin bowling was one of the choices. Harold volunteered to look after the bowling activity and subsequently bowled in leagues in such locales as Trenton, Downsview, Ottawa and Edmonton

This familiarity with bowling led to Harold’s appointment, in 1977, as manager of the bowling lanes on the base at Trenton. Called Astra Lanes, the centre became a Decentralized Association under the umbrella of the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association. At the same time, Harold was introduced to the upper level of the organizational side of five pin bowling through another member of the military, Hall of Famer Walter Knapp. Walter invited Harold to attend his first O5PBA Convention and, in 1977, Harold became involved in the local scene as well.

In Trenton, Harold was president of the Bay of Quinte 5 Pin Bowlers’ on two different occasions before joining the Board of Directors of the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association specializing in the area of Lane Certification. Ultimately, he succeeded his mentor, Wally Knapp, as provincial Tournament Director.

Harold was program director of the Youth Bowling Program at Astra Lanes and, at its peak, registered 212 youth bowlers in the four lane centre. From the YBC program, Harold joined the Master Bowlers’ Association and has bowled in both teaching and tournament divisions. In the tournament division, Harold was able to bowl with his son, Michael, and also excelled on the lanes by winning the 1994 Oktoberfest Classic. In recent years, Harold also coached Michael on the Ontario teaching division men’s team and this group won a bronze medal in 2005 at Red Deer, Alberta.

At the Open, Harold has both coached and bowled and overall has been to the Provincial Championships on seventeen occasions, seven as a bowler and ten as a coach. The most memorable team was in 1982 when, as a member of the Bay of Quinte men’s team, Harold won the provincial championships and represented Ontario in the Canadian Championships that was bowled in Calgary.

Throughout his career, Harold has been recognized for his achievements. In 1988, the Calgary Olympic year, Harold was recognized by the City of Trenton for his contribution to amateur sport and specifically five pin bowling. Two years later, Harold received the prestigious Base Commander Award at CFB Trenton for his volunteerism. In addition, Harold is a charter member of the Zone K, YBC Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 1989.

Harold and his wife Donna recently celebrated fifty years of marriage, and Donna has been a supportive and contributing partner over the years. Harold and Donna are Life Members of both the Bay of Quinte and Astra 5 Pin Bowlers’ Associations. As well, Harold was recognized in 2005 with Life Membership provincially. Just this year, the Ontario Government recognized Harold’s contribution to amateur sport with the prestigious Syl Apps Award for Volunteerism.

In fifty years, Harold and Donna raised five children – Beth, Dale, Carmen, Patrick and Michael, and only Beth is not a member of the military. In addition, there are now six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren to make the family gatherings large affairs. In retirement, Harold has become an accomplished woodworker and cabinet maker, and a large collection of memorabilia allows both Harold and Donna to relive their lifetime of memories on an ongoing basis.