Charles Daniel Lutomski

Charles (Chuck) D. Lutomski passed away April 14, 2025. Chuck was born on March 23,1956 to Daniel and Betty Lutomski in Toledo, OH. Rumor has it when Chuck was born his feet were so big, the Doctor gave him the nickname “Boots”. Chuck had a natural talent for Art and as a young man, studied through the programs at the Toledo Art Museum and produced many fine pieces, logos and graphic designs throughout his life. He graduated from Whitmer High School in 1974 and began his working career at Best Products, where he forged lifelong friendships. It was during his time at Best that Chuck met the love of his life, Alyce Harmon, marking the start of their love story. They married on October 2, 1982.

To say that Chuck loved sports is an understatement. He dedicated 27 years serving the City of Toledo as Athletic Coordinator, where he organized and coordinated seasonal athletic programs and facility use for adult and youth softball, baseball, basketball and adult volleyball and tennis.

In 1975, while working at Best Products, Chuck co-founded the self-sponsored Toledo Ballhawk Athletic Club that started with one ASA Men’s softball team but grew to over 200 members playing men’s and women’s softball, men’s basketball, men’s and women’s bowling, and a men’s golf league (when they got too old to play softball). The golf league continues to thrive and welcome new generations of Ballhawks. The Ballhawks also fielded a team in the first Ohio ASA State 35 & over Softball Tournament. In 1979, the Toledo Mudhawks (a subsidiary of the Ballhawks) was formed and in 1980 became a four-team league and was the first ASA 16” softball league in Ohio. The Mudhawks later expanded to include a co-ed sand volleyball league and a co-ed (Ma & Pa) bowling league. There were plenty of Saturday nights spent at El Matador before Ma & Pa Bowling.

Chuck served as President and General Manager of the Toledo Ballhawk Athletic Club, as well as coach, manager and player of the men’s softball team from 1975-1996. He played in the 16” Mudhawk softball league from 1979 to 2000. Chuck was elected to the Toledo Ballhawk Athletics Hall of Honor in 1985.

Back in the ‘80s, Chuck and the Ballhawks spent countless summer weekends at Club 16, where they could be found either playing softball, drinking beer—or doing both. The proof of their legendary beer-drinking prowess still remains: a collection of trophies Chuck proudly displayed.

To further demonstrate his love of sports, Chuck was a sanctioned umpire for 14 years under both Amateur Softball Association of America and the American Amateur Baseball Congress. He was District 21 (Toledo) Commissioner from 1986-2006 and published the “Ohio ASA Informational Guide” from 1995-2003. A crowning achievement was being inducted into the Ohio Amateur Softball Association Hall of Honor in 2008.

In 1985, Chuck became a member of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). He co-authored “Blue Stockings to Mud Hens, A History of Professional Baseball in Toledo, Ohio”, which is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame Library, along with his short story “Tan Your Hide.”

Though Chuck had a rugged demeaner, he brought delight to children as he embodied the role of Santa at every Ballhawk Christmas celebration.

He was passionate about collecting—whether it was books, sports memorabilia, or people. Chuck had an exceptional ability to bring people together and create lasting connections. Through all of these activities, Chuck fostered a vibrant community where lifelong friendships blossomed, couples met and married, and families were formed.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alyce; sister-in-law, Jo Harmon; and all of his beloved Bulldogs, (Dudley, Murphy Muggsy and Murphy 2). Chuck leaves behind his sisters, Diana Kay Geldien, Dorian (Franz) Vanderzwan and Laurie (Janet Wollet) Lutomski; sister-in-law, Jeanne Harmon; brother-in-law, Tom Harmon; and his friend, Sally Adler.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Chuck’s life will be scheduled for a later date.