By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
Staten Island Advance | Click here for the full story
Ray Laursen Sr., a fixture at Rab’s Country Lanes for decades and one of Staten Island’s most well-known keglers, passed away Wednesday night after a long illness. He was 72.
The news was confirmed by Rab’s proprietor Frank Wilkinson.
Laursen owned the pro and trophy shop at the Dongan Hills center, where he drilled bowling balls for thousands of Island keglers and also coached plenty of others. In addition, Laursen was a former volunteer coach for the Curtis and St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School bowling squads and organized many bowl-a-thons that have raised thousands of dollars for local causes.
“Ray, the heartbeat of Rab’s Country Lanes for decades, a pillar of our Staten Island bowling family, leaves behind a legacy of all he touched on and off the lanes,” said Wilkinson. “His laughter, love, and passion for life brought joy to all of us, leaving a memorable mark on all who knew him will certainly be missed.”