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IN MEMORY Special gathering is ‘fantastic’

On Sunday afternoon, Jason Belmonte of the Professional Bowlers Association was just outside of Akron, Ohio, winning his record-setting fourth Tournament of Champions event. Later that evening, he was a special guest during an event that remembered Ricky Burgstrom at Lucky Lanes in Fredonia.

Belmonte developed a friendship with Burgstrom, who died in 2021, through social media because of their love for bowling and shoes. After arriving in Fredonia at the event, Belmonte received plenty of applause from the more than 200 who were in attendance.

Later, Belmonte witnessed as a bowling ball he signed along with other memorabilia connected to Burgstrom was placed in a display case at Lucky Lanes. The case is located next to an area dedicated for the kids bowling program, which Ricky was a part of in his youth.

“It really was fantastic,” said Rick Burgstrom, his father. “We couldn’t believe how many people came out to remember Ricky.”

From 6 to 10 p.m. that evening, those area residents and friends remembered while rolling strikes and spares. It was a fitting and memorable tribute.

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