Bowlers remember Duffy

There was a common theme talking to bowlers at the Strike Zone on a recent Sunday morning.

Duffy Lougheed was more than a good bowler. He was a friend.

Susan Burkitt, Duffy Lougheed’s niece, holds Duffy’s bowling ball, accompanied by Ryan Paziuk, left, and Leif Skggedal, two of the bowlers who gathered at the Str1ke Zone recently to raise funds in memory of Lougheed. Allan WISHART/Free Press

“He was a real people person,” said Ryan Paziuk, who organized the small tournament to raise funds to help Lougheed’s family. “I would say he was an icon in the bowling community. He bowled in every league he was eligible for.”

Lougheed died recently after a heart attack. He was 51.

Mike Boroja was never teammates with Lougheed, but he was always friends.

“I met him through bowling, and we became good friends. I bowled against him for probably six or seven years. He was a great bowler.

“When I heard he was in the hospital, I went over, but he was already in a coma. I went back every day, just to spend some time with him.”

Sonja Towle found out early what kind of a person Lougheed was.

“He knew a fellow on our team, Paul, whose son had cancer. One day, Paul couldn’t make it, and Duffy just showed up and said he as bowling for Paul.

“He was family. Any time you came to the bowling alley, you just looked for the red short he always wore.”

Those red shorts were being worn by several of the close to 30 bowlers at the lanes on Sunday, including Leif Skuggerdal.

“He was always joking, but he helped me out a lot with my bowling. We bowled against each other in the league, but he played with me in some team events.”

Each bowler played 10 games in the tournament, expect for the ones who bowled more, Paziuk said.

“Stephen Meakin had to run a gauntlet to qualify for the playoffs. He ended up tied with four other people. He ended up bowling 17 games on the day.”

Meakin fell just short in his quest for a title, losing to Ray Campbell in the handicap division. Melissa Rikley won the scratch division.

More than $150 was raised at the tournament and donated to Lougheed’s niece, Susan Burkitt.

“I’d like to thank all the bowlers who came out today,” Burkitt said, “and a special thanks to the Strike Zone, who allowed us to use one of their rooms (Saturday) for a memorial gathering.”