IN MEMORIAM
Recognizing the following members of RHLBC who have passed away since our Centennial Celebration in 2018.
Andre Regimbald 2021
Andre was a dedicated member of the RHLBC and volunteered for many positions to ensure the club’s prosperity.
As the Greenskeeper for many years, he worked hard to improve the Green by studying the many aspects of how to maintain the best playing surface possible and working to make it so. He devoted many hours to cutting the grass and keeping the equipment in good running order. Andre was often called upon to fix something around the club and he did so without hesitation. Whether it was plumbing or carpentry work, he had the ability to make the repairs with great efficiency.
Andre was instrumental in signing up many sponsors for the club by using his charm and salesmanship. These sponsorships were vital to our club’s financial well being in years when membership numbers were low.
Among Andre’s many contributions to the club are the season’s end dinners that he and June organized with caterers, set up, clean up, etc. when they were held in the clubhouse.
Andre loved to lawn bowl and his booming voice and French accent will be missed.
Jack Rumney 2021
Jack Rumney 2021
Jack was one of the long-time members of the RHLBC. He was well known in Richmond Hill as an athlete who excelled in many sports. He was also an automobile salesman in town for over fifty years.
Jack was a soft spoken, respectful gentleman who enjoyed lawn bowling. He did not play the game competitively but always seemed to be on the winning team. Jack was President of the club for a term and when available, he pitched in to help with jobs, whether it was raking leaves or preparing berries for the Strawberry Social.
Because of his great relations with many of the Town’s business owners, he was instrumental in getting prizes for our year end dinners.
We will miss Jack’s lanky figure on the Green, throwing that perfect draw or making the crucial takeout.
Ben Pius 2021
The sport of lawn bowling and the Richmond Hill Lawn Bowling Club in particular has lost a marvelous individual. Ben competed both summer and winter in Richmond Hill. In the process he accumulated friends from all over Southern Ontario.
It wasn’t just the spirit of competition that characterized Ben. It was a joy to be his teammate and he had a welcoming attitude for everyone who came in contact with him. Many became interested in the game simply because Ben invited them to “give it a try”.
At the club level he would often ask what he could do. Whether it was setting up and putting equipment away, he was always there. He laughed easily and would help beginning players master the basics of the game.
Jim Graham 2021
Jim was a Life Member of the RHLBC. He was a great competitor who was known around the bowling community for his use and accuracy of the “drive” shot. He stepped away from the game for several years to take care of his ailing wife but returned after her passing to enjoy many more years on the green. Jim was also an active volunteer helping out with maintaining the green, etc. and he brought on a major sponsor that has been with the club for over 25 years.
Helen Snare. 2019
For the duration of her membership, Helen epitomized the definition of volunteerism. Once a week, she would be at the club, bucket and cleaning materials in hand to vacuum and wash floors, clean the washrooms and look after compost, garbage and recycling. She took over running Monday Points Night each week, and was involved with running tournaments, club jitneys and special events throughout the season. She became certified as a club and competitive coach, and unsparingly committed time to coach new bowlers and anyone who asked for assistance.
Then there was her competitive nature. It was not an accident that she represented Ontario at the Canadian Singles Championships in Regina in 2018. Many tournaments and hundreds of hours of practice preceded that competition. She selected teammates for tournaments on the basis of enjoying their company for the day. Along the way she made friends wherever she bowled, whether it be in Florida, or throughout Southern Ontario.
Helen will be greatly missed, and her legacy will live on at RHLBC.
Helen has left an indelible mark on the health and competitive life of the Richmond Hill Lawn Bowling Club.
In 2014, Helen started a book sale that has raised over $1,500.00 for the Club, and shortly thereafter, she introduced an on-line fundraiser, selling all sorts of things on Kijiji that were donated by Club members. That initiative has raised over $10,000. In 2017, Helen developed the Rock n Bowl program that has brought in 40 new members.
Jim Quance. 2019
Jim discovered our game and our club just a few short years ago. Many have been members for a much longer period, but nobody has embraced our sport with more enthusiasm and joy. He volunteered at every level, from helping with the green to repairing equipment. When he passed, he was the Tournaments Chair on the club executive and drawmaster for our Aussie Pairs games. He loved the game. He will be greatly missed.