Date of Birth: 1936
Place of Birth: St. John’s, NL
Inducted: 2002 (Athlete/Builder Category)

For 23 years Ray Bowe provided impressive leadership for hockey officials within Newfoundland and Labrador. During a lifetime of calling hockey games and providing expert instructions for hockey officials, it was in 1977 that he accepted the volunteer position of provincial referee-in-chief and he successfully fulfilled the duties and responsibilities associated with it until he retired in 2000. Extremely knowledgeable and solidly dedicated, he gained the respect of officials and all other hockey people by the manner in which he operated.

From 1951,when he played high school hockey in Gander, until the present, he has been an avid hockey player. After provincial senior hockey with Gander, he played junior “A” hockey in Winnipeg in 1954 while training with the RCAF. It was also at this time that he attended his first officials’ clinic. He was one of the better players in St. John’s hockey for four seasons and was a member of the club that won the 1956 provincial junior championship.

His playing career and his officiating career continued with his RCAF postings, including France and Germany and in various Canadian stations. He was Referee-in-Chief for Canadian Forces hockey for eight years.

He has been an off-ice official for the St. John’s Maple Leafs since the American Hockey League team came to St. John’s.

Following the great tradition of previous hockey referees-in-chief, John Doyle, Ted Withers and Joe Byrne, all deceased, Ray Bowe developed an increasing number of officials during his time in the top position and hockey within Newfoundland and Labrador is stronger because of his efforts.