Ernie Sawyer Jr., Bowladrome owner, dies at 96

1250

Ernie Sawyer, the longtime owner of Sawyer’s Bowladrome, died on Jan. 19. (Photo/Laura Hayes)

Ernie Sawyer, the longtime owner of Sawyer’s Bowladrome, died on Jan. 19. (Photo/Laura Hayes)

NORTHBOROUGH — Ernest Z. Sawyer Jr., 96, a lifelong Northborough resident, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, after a period of declining health.

His wife of 70 years, Evelyn (Mariano) Sawyer, died on Dec. 6, 2021.

Raised in Northborough, he was the son of Ora and Ernest Z. Sawyer Sr., the youngest and only boy of six children.

He was the father of his daughter, Deb, and her husband, Bob Reynolds Jr.; and the grandfather of Mandy Fallon (Pete), Stefanie Aspero (Kevin) and Jeff Reynolds (Paloma). He was also the great-grandfather to Sawyer and Lyla Fallon and Theodore and Benjamin Aspero.

In addition to his wife, Ernie was preceded in death by his sisters Corinne, Virginia, Phyllis, Betty and Lorraine.

He owned and operated Sawyer’s Bowladrome in the center of Northborough since 1953. He loved sharing the story of how he and his father dug out and created the basement for the alley with wheelbarrow and shovel. He was a kind, caring and humble man with an unmatched work ethic who saw only the good in people.

Sawyer had an exciting baseball career as a pitcher and was the property of the Washington Senators. He played in various places, including Waterbury, Selma and Chattanooga, to name a few. He was also known for his two-handed set shot in basketball, and was a talented athlete in any sport he played.

He served his country in the United States Army from 1948 to 1950 as a crypto specialist during the Korean War. As Sergeant First Class, he was assigned to the 313th Signal Battalion located at Fort George Meade, Md.

His love extended to include his 23 nieces and nephews as well as all his bowlers, creating strong bonds with those who bowled for decades.

Following Sawyer’s wishes, there will be no public services. A private graveside service in Howard Street Cemetery, Northborough, will take place to lay him to rest beside his wife.

The Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home is assisting the Sawyer family with arrangements.

No posts to display