LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Joe Donato posthumously for his extraor-
dinary athletic achievements upon the occasion of his induction into the
Schenectady City School District Athletic Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
outstanding athletes who have distinguished themselves through their
exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest
level of personal achievement; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Joe
Donato posthumously for his extraordinary athletic achievements upon the
occasion of his induction into the Schenectady City School District
Athletic Hall of Fame, to be celebrated at the Annual Schenectady City
School District Athletic Hall of Fame and Reunion Dinner on Monday,
September 10, 2012, at Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Schenectady City School District Athletic Hall of Fame
was established in 1998 to honor those individuals who have made signif-
icant contributions to the history and tradition of sports in the Sche-
nectady City School District; and
WHEREAS, Joe Donato attended Mont Pleasant High School and enlisted in
the United States Navy during World War II; he was a leader in the bowl-
ing industry as a bowler, mentor, league organizer, and tournament
director and proprietor; and
WHEREAS, Selected 53rd on THE GAZETTE'S 1994 list of top 100 Capital
Region sports figures of the previous 100 years (top bowler on the
list), Joe Donato was designated as the Mont Pleasant Athletic Club
Athlete of the Year in 1959 being the first bowler selected; and
WHEREAS, Joe Donato was a charter member of the Professional Bowlers
Association who bowled several 300 games in PBA events, including two
4th place finishes in PBA Tourneys which were the 1959 Empire State Open
and the 1962 Chicago PBA Open; he set world records for four game match
in 1956, and six game match in1961; and
WHEREAS, Selected as a Top 10 United States Bowler in 1961 and a
member of the 1962 National Bowling League, Joe Donato was one of the
top 24 bowlers in the PBA in 1962; he made several appearances on ABC's
"Make that Spare" becoming the 1st bowler to make all five spares and he
also made nine consecutive spares to win a considerable purse; and
WHEREAS, Being the first New York State Bowler to be signed to the AMF
Advisory Staff of Champions, Joe Donato conducted clinics and exhibi-
tions throughout the United States with Dick Weber and Carmen Salvino;
he was a member of the first class of the Schenectady Bowling Associ-
ation Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Appearing over 50 times on "TV Tournament Time", Joe Donato
was the first to bowl a 300 game on the show; he originated and hosted
the annual Elmer Ciccone Memorial Pro-Am, inviting 14 top touring PBA
members each year; and
WHEREAS, Creator of the "Great, Greater, Greatest Tournament" that
benefited local charities, Joe Donato formed the Capital District All-
Star & Schenectady Major Leagues and for 40 years was the proprietor of
Donato's Sportsman's Bowl; he managed Turnpike Lanes (Town & Country),
Mont Pleasant Lanes, Scotia Lanes and Holiday Bowl in Santa Ana, Cali-
fornia; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for
this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to Joe Donato; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Joe Donato posthu-
mously for his extraordinary athletic accomplishments which are a trib-
ute to his skill, dedication and commitment; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations with
praise and pride to honor Joe Donato posthumously for his extraordinary
athletic achievements upon the occasion of his induction into the Sche-
nectady City School District Athletic Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Joe Donato.