Ron Raymond doesn’t remember much about the first time he ever bowled in an organized league.

After all, the year was 1961 and, as a member of a new league formed at the New Jersey Department of Transportation, he was just a beginner himself in what was a popular after-hours recreational sport among the workers.

And now, 50 years later, the Lawrence resident stands alone among the original members still rolling in DOT league play.

“Ron’s our only charter member left,” said longtime DOT league secretary-treasurer Brian Margerum, recalling that the DOT league once had 24 teams at its high point but is now down to 11 teams. “He can be counted on to be with us every week ... just about.”

The league now competes weekly at Curtis Lanes on Scotch Road in Ewing, after previous stops along the way at White Horse, Hamilton and Colonial lanes in the Mercer County area.

Raymond – who averaged a very respectable 179 during his heyday prior to his DOT retirement 12 years ago remains in the game today mainly for the camaraderie.

“That’s why I keep doing it,” Raymond said. “It’s all for the fun and being with the people I used to work with.”

Judi Shanoskie of Hopewell Township said she enjoyed playing with Raymond.

“He’s what I like. A lot of fun and not too serious,” Shanoskie said, taking a breather from completing “a triple” on a nearby lane. Her 190s average tops all women in the DOT mixed league that requires each team to have at least one female.

Two other DOT bowling league competitors, Ken Kyte of Ewing and Rich Zolnowski of Flemington, talked about the good-natured banter they exchange with Raymond during their bowling encounters.

“He’s a bit of a loudmouth, but not as big as me,” Zolnowski quipped.

“You can always tell Ron’s in the building by his speciality yell, ‘Give ‘em a break!’ when a bowling rival gets something like a 7-10 split after throwing what looked like a certain strike ball,” Kyte said.

His fellow bowlers know all about Raymond’s other loves – hunting, fishing, gardening, woodworking, church, family and his dogs.

Lee DiNatale of Hamilton, the female member of his team, said she admired one of Raymond’s other talents.

“He’s also a very good cook,” she said. “I’ve gotten many good recipes from him.”

DiNatale echoed an observation shared by other DOT bowlers about Raymond’s uncanny ability to cope with various hurts sustained from work and play over the years.

“When in pain, that’s when he always bowls his best,” she said.

Though mindful that Raymond remains the only charter member among them, not all of his fellow bowlers were aware of him reaching the 50-year mark.

“I don’t know if Ron knows it himself. He’s never mentioned it,” Kyte said.