Considered an icon in the tri-county bowling industry, Ray Willis former owner and manager of Minisink Lanes and grandfather of the present Port Jervis Bowl owner, Brigette Willis, passed away January 2 at the Middletown Garnet Medical Center at the age of 77.

Ray had an incredible influence on so many people’s lives and provided an outstanding bowling facility, Minisink Lanes, until a devastating fire destroyed the center on January 20, 2018.

He owned and operated Mininsink Lanes for over 40 years and was an avid bowler and golfer.

Ray was instrumental in the recent revitalization of Port Jervis Bowl which granddaughter, Brigette, became the owner of in September of 2021. Brigette, when she learned that the former Kiamesha Lanes near Monticello was closing in late September, actively went to the Monday Men’s league and influenced a number of teams including other Kiamesha Lanes teams to come to Port Jervis Bowl where they formed and filled the 12-team Monday Mixed league.

Brigette noted that her grandfather, “had no hesitation to be my support, advisor and employee for whatever I needed.”

“Growing up in my grandfather’s bowling alley is the reason I was inspired to own a bowling alley of my own,” Brigette said.

Ray was born on October 27, 1944 in Port Jervis, the son of David and Charlotte Love Willis and was married to Jamie Smith Willis, who pre-deceased him on September 8, 2015.

He served our country in the U.S. Army from 1967-1969.

Ray is survived by two sons and four beloved grandchildren.

Funeral services were held January 5-6 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home in Port Jervis.

Granddaughter Brigette added, “I’m very grateful as he is the reason I chose the career I have today, and that there are so many people who have been able to appreciate the man he was and the opportunities and generosity he has provided us all in his lifetime.”

Ed's Outlook

Women's Senior Championships

The 41st New York State Women’s Senior Championships will be held in August at the Lighthouse Lanes in Oswego, NY.

The dates are August 19-21 and 26-28, 2022.

The age divisions include Class AA 75 and up, Class A 70-74, Class B 65-69, Class C 60-64, Class D 55-59 and Class E 50-54.

Entry fee for this singles event is $40.

Reservations accepted by phone through June 1.

USBC tournament applications available at bowlnysusbc@gmail.com.

Reservations telephone number is 845-363-1374.

Certified by the United States Bowling Congress.

Bowling Tip

by Mike Luongo

The tip this week will help you stay in balance, which is important because you need to remain balanced in order to make quality shots and repeat them.

One of the enigmas about the way bowling has often been taught is that bowlers are instructed to push the ball away from the body when starting the approach.

The interesting thing about this is that most of the best bowlers of all time (this era and old timers) never pushed the ball away from their body.

Instead, they slide the elbow forward never pushing it past the front of the body.

It’s a wonder why bowlers have been taught this incorrect way so frequently when the best in the sport do it another way.

What you want to do is execute the sliding hinge.

To create the sliding hinge you must never push the ball far enough away from the body that the elbow is extended in front of the body, rather, slide the ball down, walk past the ball and you will be in perfect time.

The problem with pushing the ball and elbow away from the body is that the weight of the ball too far from the body will cause the gravity to pull you forward causing you to have early timing, and early timing causes you to lose revolutions and puts you in a position where you cannot repeat shots.