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The family has asked that I say a few worlds since I was part of Charles’ bowling world, his vanning world, and his friend. I promised them that I would not be long winded.
Charles was a bowler and a vanner and he took both of these activities to heart. In the bowling world his nickname was "Fly". In the vanning world he was known as "Goodtimes".
As a bowler, he was around during the Glass Manor days. He told me many stories about how competitive the old Cincinnati League was and about his disappointment when Glass Manor closed. He was there when Kent was closed. And he survived the closing of Silver Hill. Although the sport of bowling gave him a lot of pleasure and fun, he was what we call a "serious bowler". He was very competitive. He bowled in the Kings and Queens League at Parkland for the past 5 years. If memory serves me correctly, his team won first place one year and always finished within the top five. But, I think his greatest accomplishment in his bowling world was his involvement in the creation of the Maverick Bowling Club. The Club was established in 1970. The members were Fly and five women and they had organized themselves to bowl in tournaments. They named themselves "Charlie’s Angles". When additional female bowlers and some male bowlers were added, the "Maverick Bowling Club" was born, and we have been going strong since. Of course, Fly was elected President. He held this office for a number of years. The Club recognized Fly for this involvement in the creation of the Club by making him the Club’s first "honorary life time member". Not only was he proud this, he was also glad because this meant he didn’t have to pay dues like the rest of us and that he could not be fired if his average for some reason should ever dip below our requirements.
Before I get to the vanning part, I ask that a representative from each Van or Social Club stand and give the name of their club and their city and state.
Thank you. I want to thank all the club’s, but especially those from out of town.
In his vanning world, he traveled to many states. I personally went with him to truck-ins in Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and West Virginia. As a mater of fact, we traveled together so much people started to call me Mrs. Goodtimes. There was no place that we could go that he didn’t seem to know half the people there.
Goodtimes’ first van was a yellow Ford and it had the words Fly Trap painted on it. He bought the Dodge in 1986. This sparked his interest in vannning and he became a member of the Capitol City Van Club. He was as passionate about vanning as he was bowling. As part of his passion for vanning, in February 1989 he was instrumental in creating the Silver Eagle Van Club. He was elected the club’s first President and was re-elected at every election. His continued re-election as President clearly indicated his leadership qualities. The Club is devastated with this loss. He was the glue that help hold us together. But, as he would want, we will continue.
He will be missed both in the bowling world and especially in the vanning world.
On a personal note, when he and I went to the Nationals, the two of us were just sitting there talking. He teased me by telling me that he knew I liked him cause we were friends. I told him no, I did not like him, but that as a friend, I loved him. He sort of half smiled and his eyes lit up a little bit. I am glad I had a chance to tell him that there was love in my heart for him. I will miss my friend. But since I know he was in a good place when he was with us, I know he is now a better place.
I will end this by saying, "We love you Goodtimes and that you will be missed by many".