With this induction to the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers’ Hall of Fame, John Cresswell follows his wife, Heather, who was recognized in the Builders Division in 2022.

Be assured that John and Heather worked together to make the York Simcoe Zone the gold standard of bowling associations in Ontario.

John is a Richmond Hill native. He bowled in the Youth Bowling Council (YBC), beginning at ABC Bowl and finishing his final year at Newkirk Bowl.

While John enjoyed bowling, he bowled in the Friday Majors at ABC Bowl with his dad, Jim. In this league, John managed to bowl a 400 single, but a subsequent triple of under 700 convinced John that his bowling future was “off the lanes” in coaching and administration. On the positive side, John met Heather in this league, and they married in July of 1987.

Zone President, Owen Moreau, asked John to join the York Simcoe Board of Directors in 1986, and he welcomed the involvement. He took on the roles of Tournament Director, Constitution Chair, Coaching, Bingo Co-ordinator, Booster, Lottery and Treasurer. In this latter role, John was recognized as Treasurer of the Year in 1994. He was elected President of the zone in 1995 and proceeded to lead the zone to provincial honours. He repeated the provincial award in 2002, and when his wife, Heather, won the provincial zone award in 2003, they became the first husband and wife team to be recognized for back-to-back provincial recognition. In 1996, John was elected to the provincial Board of Directors and has now served 29 years provincially. Before assuming the role of President in 2011, John dealt with the Average Book, Constitution, Planning, Information and Technology, and Vice President.

For further involvement, John joined the teaching division of the Master Bowlers’ Association in 1987, and was a member for five years. This experience enabled him to coach six Open teams, (four men’s and two mixed teams) in the provincial Open championships.

In the workforce, John was building a future. He was employed by Miscoe Data, an electronic maintenance company. This company was ultimately purchased by the Apple Computer Corporation. Following some 1996 layoffs, John, with four partners, were offered a business opportunity and TRG Computer Solutions was born. Today, John is the sole owner of the company.

Through TRG, John has become one of bowling’s biggest sponsors, contributing product and service discounts. He has also chosen to support YBC bowling banquets with a variety of entertainment over the years. John has also worked with Heather to bring other sponsors to the O5PBA.

John has been recognized for his involvement in the growth of 5 pin bowling, locally and provincially. In 2003, John received an award from the Provincial Government in recognition of his countless hours of volunteerism. In 2014, the York Simcoe Zone inducted John to their Hall of Fame to recognize his contribution and leadership.

Together, John and Heather raised four children: Darryl, Cheryl (married to Lui Mirabella), Andrew (AJ), and John (JM). They are also proud grandparents of four-year-old Matteo and two-year-old Gianluca Mirabella. Both youngsters offer many babysitting opportunities and have affectionately labelled John as “Grumpy”, a name John is most comfortable hearing.

John’s greatest moment in bowling would be encouraging his wife, Heather, to become President of York Simcoe in 2002 “for just one year,” but history shows she led the zone for over 20 years.

While bowling may face an uncertain future, John sees the ongoing participation and excitement in provincial championships, the improving proprietor relations and the ongoing success of the bowling school as indicators of maintaining our sport of 5 pin bowling’s viability.

Presently, John continues as president of the O5PBA and, this season (2024-25), ties Hall of Famer, Jack Hales, as the longest serving president in the O5PBA history