Orvil Lesperance reached the Century mark on January 25, 2015 and still bowls in his weekly bowling league, the Windsor Originals, on Wednesdays at Revs Bowlero.

The week of his birthday celebration, the roads were a wintery mess, but that did not stop him from driving himself to his weekly bowling league. He had some added incentive of a birthday cake and a giant card signed by most of the 280 bowlers from the Windsor Originals league.

Lesperance says his game isn’t what it used to be. He carries a 95 average these days, compared to a high-water mark of 165 at one time.

“He inspires all of us,” said fellow bowler Herb Desjardins. Everybody who bowls against him is amazed. He’s fun to bowl with. Good or bad, he comes back with a smile.

Bowlero’s Nick Stein says Lesperance is one of the league’s favourites. He’s been a member of the Windsor Originals for 35 years. “You hear a big roar go up when he gets a strike,” Stein said. “You’d think it was a perfect game.”

Bowling is just one of the pastimes enjoyed by the retired Transit Windsor bus driver. He plays cards three times a week with a preference for Euchre and Pepper. He also still plays golf. He is a great- grandfather 12 times over. Lesperance still lives on his own with a little help cutting the grass and house cleaning.

“I feel great,” said the naval veteran who lost his wife of 59 years, Mary Margaret, in 2005. His philosophy of life is not complex. Simply he says, “I’m taking everything one day at a time.”

This just goes to show you that bowling is a sport you can start doing from a very young age and continue on to a very old age.

As with most people who hit such a lofty milestone, the father of four was asked the secret to his longevity. “I dring red wine every day,” he said

Information for the article was provided by sports writer Mary Caton and Windsor Star photographer Dan Janisse.