In Toronto, on July 21, 1952, Velma and Austin Kyte completed their family with the arrival of Michael Stephen Peter Kyte. Several months later, Mike was moved to Barrie with his brothers Leo and Ray, and sisters Pat and Linda. Mike spent eight years in Barrie before relocating back to Toronto in 1960. In 1963, the family moved once more and settled in Richmond Hill where Mike still resides today.
Mike’s bowling career started at Dufferin Bowl in Toronto in the early 1960’s, when he attended casually on Saturday nights. When his family moved to Richmond Hill in 1963, he was encouraged by his best friend Bill Barker to join the Allencourt Lanes Youth Bowling Council. He continued bowling there in adult leagues until the centre burned down in February 1972. He then moved over to A.B.C. Bowl and joined the Wednesday Night Mixed League. It was here where he first met Doreen James, as she was placed on his team. Mike also bowled at Newkirk Bowl on Tuesday nights in the Eastsiders, then onto the Friday Mixed Majors at A.B.C. Bowl, which moved to Superbowl in Newmarket in 1987 when A.B.C. closed. After two years at Superbowl, Mike helped form the Friday Night Mixed League at Pro Bowl in Richmond Hill and has held the position of President since.
It was while he participated in the Youth Bowling Council at Allencourt that Mike met Ed and Eve Rayson and Hall of Fame members Jack and Betty Hill. He was so inspired by their commitment and dedication that it took very little persuasion by Jack to convince Mike to become involved with York Simcoe in 1976. His career with York Simcoe got off to a good start as in 1977 he was awarded the Ontario 5 Incentive Award for Tournament Director of the Year. He repeated this feat in 1978, 1991 and 1992. He also received Membership Chair of the Year in 1990, 1992 and 1996, Average Book Chair in 1994 and 1996, and President of the Year in 1999. Mike has also been nominated several times over the last five years, but due to policies of the Ontario 5 Bowlers’ Association, he is ineligible to win. He has also received his 25 Year Service Award from the Ontario 5. Mike has been recognized as York Simcoe’s Executive of the Year in 1996-1997, received a Youth Bowling Council Appreciation Certificate in 1989 and a Special Olympics Ontario Appreciation Plaque in 2000. Mike not only executes the York Simcoe Programs, he was instrumental in introduction of the Secretary of the Year Award, Certificates of Appreciation for League Secretaries and House Representatives, the P.O.A. Monthly Award and Tournament, the Turkey Draw and P.O.A. Draw at tournaments, and the York Simcoe Awards Board.
Once again, Jack Hill used his influence, and along with Hall of Fame member Ian Cameron, talked Mike into joining the Master Bowlers’ Association in 1975. He is currently in his thirty-first year with the Association. It is with the Masters that Mike has achieved two milestones. One is his high game single of 386 at the 10% Tournament in 1983, which is now the Year End Tournament. The other happened in his very first Masters’ Tournament in 1975 when he proposed to Doreen at the Master Junior. Mike and Doreen married September 11, 1976 and proceeded to have two daughters, Michelle (27) and Diana (22), and just celebrated their 30th Anniversary. Like most parents, they get involved in the sports of their children, and Mike is no different. He spent several years coaching his daughters in baseball. Naturally, the girls were also bowlers, and Mike volunteered to coach on the lanes as well, 5 times at the Youth Challenge, 2 times at the Senior Mixed, and numerous times at the Zone and Provincial 4 Steps To Stardom. Mike has also served the Youth Bowling Council as Program Director at A.B.C. Bowl from 1985 until it closed in 1987, then from 1987 until present at Pro Bowl in Richmond Hill.
Prior to Mike’s involvement with bowling, while attending Bayview High School, he was showing off his talents in the schools’ drama department, then after graduation, with the Thornhill Theatre for the Performing Arts. To support himself, Mike took a job at the CBC in 1973, and ironically, it was in the mailroom. From 1974 until 1981, Mike did a variety of jobs. In September of 1981, Mike found his calling and joined Canada Post as a Letter Carrier, and last month, completed his 25th year.
As a youth, Mike tried his talents at hockey and baseball, but it was bowling that kept his interest. After more than 40 years of bowling and almost 30 years of volunteering, he has no plans on slowing down. Mike’s accomplishments and dedication are in a class of their own. With all the programs Mike has implemented for our ever-evolving Zone, he has been an integral part of York Simcoe’s growth. There is no doubt that Michael Kyte belongs in our Builder’s Division.