Frank Lotto left a lasting legacy at the Bradford Legion.
“Whoever he could help, he would help. He would support them,” said Carol Lotto. “He was here for the people. They trusted him… He loved helping people.”
Lotto, as President of the Legion, gave unstintingly of his time and energy, and enjoyed the activities offered at the local branch of the Legion. He played in the Thursday night dart league, and participated in the meat rolls, Friday night dinners and karaoke.
Lotto passed suddenly on Jan. 4, 2013, at the age of only 65. In 2014, the Bradford Legion launched the Frank Lotto Memorial Dart Tourney.
“It’s just nice, for the people to get out enjoy themselves and raise money for the place he loved,” said Carol, who attends the tourney every year, to thank the Legion for honouring her husband’s memory.
This year, 52 darts players from across Southern Ontario came out to play darts on Saturday.
The numbers were down slightly from 2019. “Normally, we have about 68 to 70,” said organizer Shelly Christadler. But this year, there was at least one competing tourney: the Pen Cup Dart Tournament, at the Welland Legion.
Still, the Bradford Legion was bustling, and both the banquet hall and club room were full, as players prepared to play darts, competing for prizes and the Frank Lotto Memorial Trophy, in Blind Draw Doubles play. And the atmosphere was as warm and welcoming as Lotto himself would have wished.
The Bradford Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary prepared a hearty lunch, offering a choice of chili, hot dogs, sandwiches, French fries and gravy, and desserts – available at a nominal cost.
The Frank Lotto Memorial Dart Tournament is a fundraiser for the Bradford Legion, the Ladies’ Auxiliary, and this year, for the new 37 Bradford Orville Hand Air Cadet Squadron.
This 2020 winners of the Frank Lotto Trophy were Doug Collins, of North Pickering, and Gus Organ, who received the trophy and congratulations from Carol Lotto.
Coming up at the Legion: The next big event at the Bradford Legion, 115 Back St. in Bradford, is the Comedy Night on Saturday, Feb. 29, at 7 p.m. in support of Air Cadets. The 19+ evening features comics Greg Enwright, Ernie Vicente, Daniel Shaw and Nour Hadidi. Tickets are $25, available at bradfordaircadets.square.site or at the Legion. Includes light snacks. There will be a cash bar.
