News that Joe Mortellaro was going to stop in at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia on a Friday morning last month brought out several of his bowling buddies. Front, Mortellaro and Bruce Kraus; back, Mike Pettinella, Frank Corradini, Joe Grasso, Gregg Wolff and Paul Spiotta.
By Mike Pettinella
For Video News Service
For Joe Mortellaro, outside of his family and friends, nothing came before bowling and all that the lifetime sport had to offer.
Whether it was competing on the lanes or promoting bowling off the lanes, Joe Mortellaro – through his exemplary body of work over seven decades – earned the reverential title of “Mr. Bowling” in the Genesee Region.
Sadly, Joe has left us at the age of 88, passing away in his sleep on Friday morning (Dec. 27, 2024) at his Corfu home.
Although serious medical issues ended his bowling career about five years ago, Joe still was able to pop in at local bowling centers to watch the competition – always managing a smile, laugh and his patented “I’m doing great!” response to “How you doing, Joe?”
When looking back at his remarkable amateur bowling career (I’m sure he could have been a professional), one finds numerous league and tournament titles, perfect games and countless 700 series on his resume.
Joe made his mark as a perennial all-star for the Pok-A-Dot team in the Classic League at Mancuso Lanes (now Mancuso Bowling Center) and continued to shine in league play at various bowling halls in Western New York right through the 2018-19 season.
Photo from–1968
Joe was so good at such an early age that he was inducted into the Batavia Bowling Association (now Genesee Region USBC) Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class in 1973 – just prior to his 37th birthday. In 2000, he was enshrined again – this time into the Hall of Fame’s Meritorious Service category.
2000 — Hall of Fame induction for Meritorious Service/Batavia Daily News article
Joe is a two-time Batavia Masters tournament champion, winning in 1970 and then 23 years later at the age of 56. In 2000, he defeated 98 of the best bowlers in Western New York to capture the $1,000 first prize at the Autumn Classic at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion. He also claimed several Batavia, Genesee Region and Perry association tournament titles in team, doubles and singles competition.
His effortless approach and clean delivery enabled him to be successful into his seventies. He rolled his final perfect game at Scopano’s Lanes in Oakfield at the age of 74 in January 2011 and posted a 200 average in a league at Scopano’s at the age of 78 in 2014.
1974 at American Bowling Congress Championships in Indianapolis — from left, Pat LaFarnara, Joe Mirando, Carmen DiFilippo, Angelo Prospero, Joe Mortellaro
Perhaps his greatest accomplishment occurred in April 2019 in Las Vegas when he competed in his 50th United States Bowling Congress Championship Tournament. USBC officials presented him with a plaque during a ceremony at the South Point Bowling Plaza and have included his photo and statistics in a permanent display at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev.
Off the lanes, Joe served effectively and encouragingly as president of the Batavia Bowling Association from 1970-1992.
He also was well known as a top-notch bowling ball driller. From 1982-2010, he owned and operated Joe’s Pro Shop on Ellicott Street in Batavia, where he and brother, Tony, and sister, Millie, greeted customers and those who just wanted to visit with good cheer, some Italian bread and a slice of pepperoni.
Today, Joe’s Awards & Trophies continues on with Joe’s nephew, Marty Hein, as the proprietor.
Photo/Circa 1975 Mancuso Lanes
On a personal note, I have known Joe for about 57 years after joining the youth bowling program at Mancuso’s in the late ‘60s. Joe drilled my black (all balls were black back then) Columbia Titeline that I was fortunate enough to roll a 300 game with during my junior year at Batavia High.
We interacted on a regular basis ever since – competing in leagues and tournaments and, more importantly, forging a strong friendship along the way.
Joe made a huge impact upon hundreds of bowlers in the Batavia area and beyond.
Paul Spiotta of Batavia said he was honored to be asked by Joe to escort him to “center stage” during the USBC 50-year recognition.
“That he wanted (the late) Joe Trigilio and myself to escort him while the ceremony was going on when he was being introduced, that’s something special and something that I’ll never forget,” said Spiotta, who has participated in 30 USBC Championships. “Not too many people have accomplished that feat.”
A contingent of family and friends were there to witness Joe receiving his award.
In addition to Spiotta, other bowlers on Joe’s team were Gregg Wolff and nephews Mark McVay, Todd Mortellaro and Rich Mortellaro. Other family members who traveled to Vegas were his late sister, Millie McVay; her daughter, Jeannie; nephew, Fred McVay; Fred’s wife, Donna, and Joe/s sister-in-law Charlene Tiede.
Display at National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada marking Joe’s 50-year participation at the USBC Open Championships.
Jerry Davis of Pavilion said he will remember Joe as “a true ambassador for the sport of bowling.”
“He got me started in the Classic Leagues in the ‘70s and ‘80s and always encouraged me to improve my game,” said Davis, a past Genesee Region USBC president and former owner of Attica Lanes. “I have many fond memories of bowling in tournaments with him and I will always cherish those memories.”
Bruce Kraus of Corfu said, “I don’t have words other than I was blessed to know this man and call him my best friend.”
“His bowling accomplishments are too numerous to mention. He always was doing things for others; always smiling. I will dearly miss Joe. Everyone will.”
1969-70 All-Star team/Genesee Independent Press
Dave Montemarano Sr., longtime Batavia resident now living in Florida, recalled that he was asked to bowl on Joe’s Pok-A-Dot team in the late ‘60s.
“I was honored and actually surprised that Joe asked me to bowl with his team,” Montemarano said. “He was a great teammate and extraordinary person. A real competitor with a smooth, four-step approach that really impressed me. And he was accurate.”
There will be no calling hours.
A celebration of Joe’s life is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 1 at Batavia Country Club. Those interested in paying their respects at the celebration of life are asked to send a text to Mark McVay at 585-356-9364.