Springhill, Nova Scotia is known as the site of a major mining disaster in 1956 and is also the birthplace of Ken Roy. Born in 1926, Ken spent the depression in both England and Nova Scotia before his family settled in New Glasgow, located about 100 miles east of Halifax. As a teenager, Ken was setting candlepins at the local bowling centre and, while earning a few dollars, he was also improving his bowling style.

Candlepins is one of four variations that are part of Canada’s bowling scene. Played in the Maritimes and through Maine and parts of New England, candlepins is a ten pin game with long, slim, symmetrical pins and the ball is about five ounces lighter and a half inch smaller in diameter than a 5 pin ball! As such, it is delivered quickly and can travel quite fast.

Ken arrived in Halifax, from New Glasgow, with a flourish in 1947. Joining the local bowling league, there were comments that his new team was already very competitive. Be assured, Ken only made his new team better as his first night score was a 338 triple and any single game score over 100 is a very good candlepin result.

Ken was a perennial champion and dazzled the Maritimes in 1948 when, at Edmonton, New Brunswick, Ken rolled a single game record score of 180. This score shattered the previous mark set by Wilbert Martel of Halifax who had bowled a 161 single in 1937. Ironically, Wilbert Martel was present to see the new standard set.

Each year, Ken would dominate the Maritimes and Eastern Maine Championships as well as competition involving Nova Scotia and Price Edward Island. In the newspaper coverage, Ken was given the nickname “The Wasp” for his quick delivery and fast movement on the approach. Championships continued through 1953 when Ken, now married, decided to join the Canadian Armed Forces.

Ken and Grace were married in 1949 and Ken, who held a variety of jobs, was looking to settle down. In 1954, Ken was accepted into the army and despite his east coast roots, Ken was stationed in Ipperwash, in southwestern Ontario. Ken and Grace lived off the base in Thedford, but he joined the army bowling league, which, of course, was 5 pin bowling. Using his candlepin skills, Ken transferred his technique to this new form of bowling and Ken’s colleagues could see his championship form.

Leaving the forces in 1957, Ken and his wife moved to Toronto and a position with Air Canada. As well, they bought a house in Etobicoke and Ken continues to reside there to this day. Ken was referred to the Toronto City Major League and Ken joined the league, first bowling for Air Terminal Transport followed by York Bowl, Willow Bowl and Plantation.

Through Plantation Bowl, Ken was a charter member of the Master Bowlers Association and proceeded to dominate the 1965-66 season winning three tournaments including the Nickel City Open in Sudbury, the Double Knockout event and also the Master Bantam singles. This overall performance earned Ken “Bowler of the Year” hampers. Ken also appeared on television during the 1965-66 season on the weekly series aired by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Overall Ken bowled with some top bowlers including Paul Wilkinson, Fred Pearce and Hall of Famers Fred Halle. Corky Rumsan and Fraser Hambly.

Ken and his wife Grace raised two children, Linda and Larry, and Larry and his wife Liz have two children, Andria and Tiffany and a great grandchild, Liam who arrived on July 14 of this year.

Ken’s work at Air Canada cut short his major league bowling career, but he continued bowling with the Legion and in the Etobicoke Senior Games. As well, Ken transferred his bowling skills to horseshoes and joined the indoor Hamilton Horseshoe Club and competed with Elmer Kohl, a world champion in horseshoes and a top bowler as well.

Ken’s wife Grace passed away in 1991 and Ken can reminisce over a career that saw him champion three sports, candlepin bowling, five pin bowling and horseshoes.