Karol Bilyj

Karol worked tirelessly to grow the game and help everyone learn to love it. As tribute to his legacy, we are using the occasion of his memorial bonspiel to recognize others who have contributed similarly to our beloved sport.

At the Manotick Curling Club, when you ask the question "Why did you decide to join MCC".  If you joined prior to 2015, you invariably got some variation of: Well, I phoned/showed up at the club. The door was unlocked so I went in.  An old guy asked me if there was something I was looking for or he could help with.  I said I was getting too old (insert your reason) for what I was doing and I was looking for a more relaxed, social sport.  He said we should discuss it over a beer.  He got the beer and we talked for 20/40/60 minutes and then invited you to try it on the ice.  It was your first lesson (of many), but you were sold.

And that was Karol.  He loved people and he loved curling.  He was involved with everything at the club at various times:

• president of the club

• the Sunday childrens program

• the Learn to Curl clinics

• the Tuesday/Thursday daytime curling

• the Monday evening mens curling

• the Thursday evening open curling

He was an early organizer for the Valley League curling and the Island Bonspiel (now the KBMSB).  He went to most bonspiels held within 100km of Manotick.  Everyone knew him.  At Christmas, you couldn't leave the club until you had bought your Kiwanis Christmas cake.