Godfrey, Cora “Corky”

 

Cora “Corky” Godfrey – (2003)

 

Looking back on the legends of Lorain bowling history, one comes up with names such as Leo Bentley, Hank Andorka, Alex Black Sr., Baldo Campana, John Doslak, Joe Fitzgerald, Cy Justin, Pete Kallas, Dom Rebman, Tony Pompei and, finally, a woman bowler, Louise (Sissy) Muskiewicz, all of them already inducted into the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame.

Now, at long last, you can add the second woman to this elite list of bowlers, Cora (Corky) Godfrey, whose personal bowling history goes back more than a half century, and includes having served as president of the Lorain Women’s Bowling Association for 33 years (1962-95). An active member of the LSHF since 1995, “Corky” was elected president in 2002.

In the annals of bowling excellence, it was a classic quip in the sports department at The Lorain Journal (now The Morning Journal) that the name “Corky” Godfrey was always cast in every headline type size because invariably she would have accomplished some fete that would be headlined on a Journal bowling story.

There isn’t a bowling establishment (past or present) in Lorain, Lorain County, much of Ohio and perhaps many throughout the country where “Corky” didn’t register a strike. In her illustrious career, she participated in 40 national WIBC (Women’s International Bowling Congress) tournaments. Locally, she and “Sissy” Muskiewicz were frequent doubles partners. “Corky” also competed in many Ohio Women’s Bowling Association events, and was the LWBA liaison between the local and state organizations. In 1971, “Corky” and “Sissy” captured the LWBA doubles championship with an actual 1,192 score. In tournament team competition, “Corky” anchored or led off (when “Sissy” bowled anchor) eight LWBA championship teams.

“Corky” says her interest in bowling began in Japan more than 50 years ago where her husband and biggest booster, Joe, was stationed in the military. Upon returning to the United States, their travels took them to California, Florida, Tennessee, Texas and, after a stop in Columbus, back to Lorain.

In 1982, “Corky” and Maxine Virgin, also a prominent name among Lorain’s many great women bowlers, were inducted into the LWBA Hall of Fame. Among her achievements that season alone were a career-high 268 game, 684 series and 181 season-high average.

While still active in league championship play, “Corky” in recent years became a major force in developing and promoting bowling clubs for area high school students, and including coaching the boys’ and girls’ bowling clubs at Amherst Marion L. Steele High School.

“Corky” and Joe Godfrey currently reside in Amherst. They have two sons, Gregory (deceased) and Joseph Jr, of Amherst, and two granddaughters, Jennifer and Joy.