John started his bowling career in 1916 at the Ascension Club after setting pins at the club for four years.

In that year, Fr. Harrington asked him to start the leagues, and be the league secretary for just that year, but over 30 years later, he was still Secretary at the Ascension Club. During some of those years, he kept records for as many as ten Ascension Club leagues.

He was one of the organizers of the Grain League, Traffic Club League, and the first Knights of Columbus league in Minneapolis, all of which are still active leagues.

He was never a star bowler, but he does have a 700 total to his credit, a 713 bowled at the Ascension Club way back in 1936 when 700 scores are not a popular as they are now.

In 1937, he was elected Secretary of the Minneapolis District Bowling Association. He continued in this capacity for the next 30 years. During this time, the association grew from 72 leagues to over 1,100 leagues and 10,000 teams. The city tournament grew from 33 teams to over 1,000 teams. He was elected to the Minneapolis Hall of Fame in 1965.

On January 13, 1953, he was appointed as a Director of the American Bowling Congress and was re-elected every year for the next 20 years, becoming a Life Member in 1973.

John was very active in the Minnesota State Bowling Association and held the office of Secretary from 1949 – 1954. He then held the office of Treasurer from 1971 – 1975.