Bowling Hall of Famer, Enfield Resident Charlie Jutras Passes

ENFIELD, CT — Charlie Jutras, one of the greatest candlepin bowlers in history who resided in the Southwood Acres section of Enfield for more than 30 years, passed away Monday. He was 84.

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, Jutras grew up in Springfield, Mass., then lived just over the Connecticut border in Feeding Hills for many years, winning numerous Western Massachusetts championships.

He was a regular fixture on the Candlepin Bowling television show, broadcast Saturday mornings on WCVB-TV out of Boston, making 57 appearances during the show's 38-season run, which began in 1958. During his career, he had numerous televised battles with other stars of the New England candlepin bowling scene, including Dick O'Connell, Ed Czernicki and Tom Olszta.

He and his wife, Marion, bought a house in Enfield in the early 1980s, during which time he continued his competitive bowling career. In 1984, he had a bird's eye view of sports history during a Western New England Pro Tour event, as Ralph Semb bowled a 245, setting the single-game world record at Community Lanes in Westfield, Mass.

In 1991, Jutras reached the pinnacle of his sport upon his election to the International Candlepin Bowling Association Hall of Fame in Boston.

Tributes to Jutras were being posted on the Candlepin Chat Facebook page:

• "A great bowler, great story teller, and a great person! RIP Mr. Jutras, a true gentleman." - Tim Lipke
• "RIP Charlie...you were the best that I've bowled against and probably the best ever!" - Dan Murphy
• "He was always the one to beat in the 1960s and 1970s ten string tournaments. If I'm not mistaken, Channel 5 eliminated the "skip lob" penalty because of Charlie's delivery." - Dennis Chick

In addition to his wife, Jutras is survived by four sons, 16 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, two brothers and a sister.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Thursday, July 26 at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 23 Simon Rd., Enfield. Calling hours are immediately prior to the service, from 9-11 a.m., at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd., Enfield. Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 30 at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St., Agawam.

Photo and video credit: Alley Cat Classics via YouTube

To sign up for free Enfield news alerts and more, click here.