We are sad to report the death of Jim Proctor, whose 88th birthday would have been on 27th November. Jim was the longest serving member of the EBU Tournament Directors' panel at the time of his retirement in 2016. He joined the panel in 1974, and had held the top rank of National Tournament Director for several decades. At the Summer Meeting in 2016 he was made a Life Member of the EBU for his services.
EBU Chief TD Gordon Rainsford, who interviewed Jim for English Bridge on the occasion of his 80th birthday, said “This is very sad news. In common with all other EBU TDs who worked with Jim, I learned a huge amount from him as well as enjoying my games partnering him at the Summer Meeting in Eastbourne.” We extend our sympathy to Jim's partner Kevin and all his friends around the country.
The funeral will be at Scarborough Crematorium at 2pm on Thu 23rd November.
If you are unable to attend the service in person, it will be available to view online using the details below:
Website: https://watch.obitus.com
Username: yaga7498
Password: 333918
Please note: You will not be able to view the Service until about 5 minutes before it starts at 2pm. If you are unable to attend the service will be made available for 28 days after the end. It may require some editing so there may be a few hours delay before it is available.
David Dickson of Avenue Bridge Club remembers Jim:
"Following his retirement from the EBU, Jim frequently boarded a train (railways being one of Jim’s passions) from Scarborough to Brighton. Invariably a woolly hat, sweater and Covid mask (worn round the chin), would arrive at The Avenue Bridge Club in Hove, and underneath was Jim - a polite likeable friendly gentleman ready for action at the rubber bridge table.
Jim will be remembered for a few of his bridge eccentricities – he invariably led a trump at trick1; he invariably commented after a failure to protect ‘no protection’ in a broad Northern accent; latterly he frequently ‘made a claim’ by throwing all 13 of his cards on the table and left it to others to gauge the validity of the claim.
Following the rubber bridge, Jim would eat the same dish, at the same Curry house, at the same table.
For as long as we play Rubber Bridge, Jim will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all his friends at The Avenue Bridge Club."
November 21, 2023