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The importance of Charles McQuaker can be directly related to some important dates in 5 pin bowling history.
The original Hall of Fame program began in 1968 and in those early years, two Builders and six Players were recognized. On the Builders side was the founder of our sport Tommy Ryan and the first secretary of the founding Canadian Bowling Association, Bob Woods. In 1973, the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association and the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Ontario joined together to recognize Builders of the Bowling Industry.
Charles McQuaker or “Red” as was his popular nickname was honoured at the second dinner, in 1974, following the recognition of Joe Roberts, Flo Cutting and Jim Beeforth. Subsequently, in 1986, when the Hall of Fame program was revived by the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers Association, Red was inducted as a Player in that first year. Finally, in 2009, we will complete the cycle and Charles “Red” McQuaker will be inducted to the Hall of Fame as a Builder of 5 pin bowling.
Red was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1910 and, after arriving in Canada began bowling in 1926. During his career, he was, at various times, president of the top four major leagues in Toronto. He was a charter executive member of the Ontario Bowlers Congress when it was founded in 1952 and he was also a founding member at the Canadian level as well.
Five pin bowling endured some growing pains during the 1960’s as East and West argued over both the official count for bowling and also the abolition of the counter pin. Red became the peacemaker between the two groups and, in 1972, the national championships, which had been suspended for three years, were re-instated. Red’s ability to transfer difficult debates into harmonious discussions was a major factor in this resolution which remains in place to this day.
Red received a Life Membership from the Canadian Bowlers’ Congress in 1970, was appointed to the Board of Governors of the Ontario Bowlers’ Congress (OBC) in 1971 and their fifth overall Life Member of the OBC in 1972. In addition, in 1976 Red was inducted into the Mississauga Sports Hall of Fame.
While Red passed away in 1999, his wife Nina and a son David carry the family legacy. Nina, who is now 96, has battled Alzheimer’s for over ten years, while David and his wife, Lucy, live in Mississauga. There are two children, a son, David, and a daughter, Marlo. In turn, Dave and his wife have two children, Devan and Emily, now great grandchildren of Hall of Famer Charles “Red” McQuaker.
As a dual inductee, Red now becomes the ninth member of a very elite group, both a Builder and Player inductee to the 5 Pin Bowling Hall of Fame.
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