Joseph Jannone a good candidate for YBA hall

I’d like to make a case for a bowler’s consideration for the Youngstown Bowling Association Hall of Fame, posthumously.

Joseph Jannone, who passed away in 1971, seems like he might be a good candidate.

His biography appears in a book that lists memorable Youngstown area Italians: The Italians of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.

It states: He competed in the $253,000 Petersen Classic in 1955 and 1959, was a traveling league champion and Tri-City champ in 1964. He was a Liberty Trophy holder in 1960-61, trophy champ in 1963-64 and winner of the McKinley Trophy in 1968-69.

In 1961-62, he bowled a 285 in the Brier Hill Tournament. In 1965, Jannone was men’s city tournament champion as well as the Bonaquest Classic champion.

He was a member of the Youngstown Men’s Bowling Association, National Bowling Clinic. He also competed in the Lincoln, Nebraska Open Bowling Tournament.

Because of failing health, he was advised by doctors to quit bowling. But Mr. Jannone continued because of his love for the sport. With the aid of a special extra-light ball, he continued bowling, reaching a 194 average. Until he passed on, Jannone worked at McGuffey Lanes, North Side Lanes and McKinley Lanes in Niles.

He died in 1971 at age 68.

During the 13 years prior his passing, Jannone taught and coached many area youngsters and adults.

At the time of his death, the old Mahoning Valley Bowler newspaper wrote this: It is with a great deal of sadness that we note the passing of one of the area’s leading bowling enthusiasts.

His daughter-in-law, Joyce Jannone, still has the trophies, awards and memorabilia.

“He lived with us for several years,” Joyce Jannone said of her father-in-law’s time in the North Side home she shared with her husband, Nick Jannone.

“He was a wonderful person and a gifted bowler,” Joyce said of Joseph Jannone. “He went down to an 8- to 10-pound ball,” she said of his brittle-bone condition.

Although she was 12-years-old when he died, a granddaughter, Cathy Engartner, shared her recollection.

She remembers that his schedule both as an alley employee and bowler didn’t coincide with hers at the time.

“He’d leave for bowling and not return from the alleys until after midnight,” Engartner said. “We were kids, home sleeping, so after he’d come home and go to bed, we’d get up and go to school,” she said of herself and her brother, Nick.

Her grandfather’s hobbies included coin collection and cooking.

“The JFK influence was big so he’d buy mint sets, Engartner said. “I only knew him when he got sick because he was around more. I remember him making spaghetti sauce on Mondays.”

She said that Joe had a lot of high-game pins on the wall at North Side bowling alley.

“When we heard it was closing, we tried to get them, but were told they’d already been taken down,” said Engartner, who also described her grandfather’s health.

“He was afflicted with a disease, a form of cancer that caused bone deterioration in his back.”

The Jannone family campaigned for consideration for induction in the past, but got no results.

Now, if there’s no good reason for exclusion, maybe induction is overdue.

SCORES AND NOTES

Teri Haefke’s 280-798 blew away the rest of the field in C-G Pro Shop/Ladies Trio at Wedgewood on Jan. 25. At Amron, Haefke’s 300 in Thursday Matchplay Ladies on Jan. 27 followed her 300 on Jan. 20.

Butch Lias had 300 to start his Boardman Businessmen’s night on Jan. 18, then dipped to 193 before finishing with 203 for 696.

Liberty Steel won Zarbana Industries’ second 3rd at Camelot with members Wes Gryzwna, Rick Sanko, Matt Bertolette, Tim Galchick, Terry Yorty and Richard Robinson and the trio of Lisa Pecorelli, Paula Pecorelli and Teri Haefke compose the All-In-One Drain Service team that won the second 3rd in C-G Pro Shop/Ladies Trio.

Jack’s Auto Sales won Monday Classic’s third quarter at West Side with Jack Zeigler, Steve Paris, Tom Bobonick, Rich Mauro, John Mshar Sr. and John Mshar Jr.

At Camelot, winners of the second 3rd roll-off of Strikers and Majors, respectively, were the teams of David Grim, Chase Felger, Cody Creque and Dakota Gorgie and Christian Dama, Danielle Knight, Ryan McBride and Michael Knight.

Sal Wood picked up the 7-10 split in Strikers’ Thursday Niters at Mahoning Valley Lanes on Jan. 25.