Legendary Sportsman From Simsbury Passes Away

SIMSBURY, CT — Red Burnham, a longtime Tariffville resident who was instrumental in bringing the Professional Bowlers Association Tour to Connecticut in the mid-1970s, passed away Dec. 31. He was 89.

Burnham, whose given name was Clinton George Burnham, began his career as a sportswriter and photographer for the old Hartford Times. For more than five decades, he penned a weekly bowling column, "Knock On Wood," which ran first in the Times and then for many years in the Journal Inquirer of Manchester.

As a businessman, Burnham managed Simsbury Lanes before taking over as manager of Bradley Bowl in Windsor Locks. In 1975, with the help of his friend, Ken West, he attracted the PBA Tour to Bradley for an event, the Midas Open, which wound up running for 23 straight seasons under various names, most prominently the Greater Hartford Open (11 times). The tournament was hosted by entertainer Pat Boone in 1985, and was known as the Tums Classic from 1991 to 1995. The center played host to the BPAA U.S. Open in 1979 and 1980.

The best bowlers in the world converged on Windsor Locks on a yearly basis through 1997. Among the winners of the Connecticut tournament were 10 future PBA Hall of Fame inductees: Nelson Burton, Jr., Earl Anthony, Tommy Hudson, Mark Roth, Wayne Webb, Pete Weber, Steve Cook, Mike Aulby, Jason Couch and Norm Duke.

New England Bowlers Association Hall of Famer Mike Lichstein said he got his start bowling in a junior program Burnham promoted in the early 1980s.

"He was such an advocate for junior bowling," Lichstein said. "He was responsible for bringing the junior bowling tour to Bradley. It was a great junior organization which still goes today. He was such a promoter of the game; he'll be very missed by all of us in the bowling community."

"Red Burnham was a true gentlemen, as well as a loyal and dedicated bowling promoter," former Journal Inquirer associate sports editor Phil Chardis said. "Many, many bowlers in the Journal Inquirer circulation area looked forward to his weekly column and Red never disappointed them, highlighting local leagues and personalities. He put Bradley Bowl in Windsor Locks on the map by bringing in national championship competition. The area bowling community has lost a giant in the industry and he will be greatly missed."

Burnham was an active volunteer in the community, serving as president of the Rotary Club in Windsor Locks and East Granby and receiving the Paul Harris Award. He also served on the board of directors of Special Olympics.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dottie; two children; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, among numerous other relatives and friends.

Calling hours are slated for Friday, Jan. 4 from 3-7 p.m. at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury. His funeral will be Saturday, Jan. 5, beginning at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Simsbury. Burial will follow in St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Tariffville.

Read his complete obituary at www.vincentfuneralhome.com.

Photo courtesy of Vincent Funeral Home

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