Louis (Lou) Detsky was born in Europe and emigrated with his family to Canada at a very young age. After trying his hand at many things, he started his first bowling centre in 1943, Capitol Bowling at Queen and Roncesvalles in Toronto. This was followed in a few years by two other bowling centres, Spadina Bowling and Beach Bowling. In 1952, Lou took over Moon Bowl on Avenue Road, north of Lawrence in Toronto which subsequently became Shea’s Bowl, the beginning of a chain that by 1977 had grown to 15 bowling centres.

When the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Ontario was founded in 1954, Lou was there and during the course of the next quarter century, held several executive positions in that organization. His career in bowling politics was topped by his election to the office of President of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Canada in 1974, a position he held for two years.

Under his leadership, the Shea’s Bowling centre chain participated in many innovations. They were the largest contributors to the Star Santa Claus Fund and Lou was instrumental in getting Milt Dunnell of the Toronto Star to sponsor ladies afternoon bowling instruction with Mabel McDowell, a previous honouree, as the head instructress. Lou, also influenced the Star in sponsoring a Junior Bowling Tournament for Metropolitan Toronto bowling centres with the help of Vern Archer of the Star. Lou Detsky retired from the bowling industry in 1977. He had long been involved in golf clubs and was made honourary member of the Canadian Professional Golf Association.

Lou and his wife, Marjorie raised three children and are the grandparents of six. His daughter, Sharon is married to Dr. David Rapoport while one of his sons, Howard is an accountant, and his other son Allan is a doctor. He now resides in a condominium at 1555 Finch Avenue East and has kept busy with his real estate investments and the operation of the Avonlea Curling Club. He is a member of a number of organizations including Beth Sholom Synagogue, and Sportsmen’s Lodge of B’nai Brith. He is also a life member of the Baycrest Centre for the Aged.