Tommy Ryan Founder of 5 pin bowling a Canadian invention
On My Fall Walk: Remembering the Inventor of Five-Pin Bowling — Thomas Francis “Tommy” Ryan (1872–1961)
Mt. Hope Catholic Cemetery, Toronto
On a crisp autumn walk through Mt. Hope Cemetery, I discovered something that felt both surprising and bittersweet — the unmarked grave of a Canadian innovator, the man who quite literally reinvented the game of bowling: Thomas Francis “Tommy” Ryan, the inventor of five-pin bowling.
Born in Guelph, Ontario, Tommy was a gifted athlete — even offered a tryout with the Baltimore Orioles of the minor leagues. But instead of pursuing baseball, he turned his attention to entrepreneurship and recreation. He opened the Toronto Bowling Club at the southeast corner of Yonge and Temperance Streets.
In 1909, faced with frequent customer complaints that traditional ten-pin bowling was too strenuous — the balls too large and heavy — Tommy decided to take action. With the help of his father Patrick Ryan (buried nearby), they used a lathe to reshape tenpins into five lighter pins, adding a rubber ring to improve pin action. He also reduced the ball to three pounds, making the game more accessible for all ages.
And just like that, a distinctly Canadian pastime was born.
Despite his major contribution to Canadian sport and recreation, Tommy Ryan’s grave remains unmarked, nestled quietly between his parents, both of whom passed away in 1921. In this photo, I placed a purple plant to mark the location of his burial — a small tribute to a man who gave joy to generations through the game he created.
Tommy passed away in Toronto on November 19, 1961, at the age of 89. A bachelor until age 82, he remained dedicated to his passions throughout his life. In 1971, a decade after his passing, he was posthumously inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame — an overdue but well-deserved recognition.
It may be time — long overdue — for both private and public sectors to come together and place a proper commemorative plaque or headstone to recognize his legacy. A great Canadian, hidden in plain sight.
