By Des Deery
BM March 1991
“Cast a cold eye on life and death, Horseman Pass by” – W B Yeats.
Joel Tarlo, one of the great European Bridge players, died in Spain on the 3rd of February, just two months short of his 86th birthday.
Joel was a well known figure in London legal circles, where he built one of the leading city practices. However, it was as Bridge player that he was better known to the public, and he played international bridge for England and Great Britain on many occasions.
Joel’s many successes are too numerous to mention, but perhaps participation in the British win in the Baden Baden championship of 1963 with a record score of close on 100% was closest to his heart. He played for his beloved Spain in the European Championships of 1987, and that great occasion was marked by a special award to him in Brighton.
Joel has finished his days on earth, but may his memory live on in the hearts of those who loved him. One of the sayings of the father is:
“When a man dies neither silver nor gold accompany him, only righteousness, and good deeds. For it is said, where you walk it shall lead you, where you lie down it shall watch over you and when you wake it shall speak with you.”
Let this be Joel’s epitaph.
The loss felt by Joel’s friends will be only a part of that felt by his dear wife Pimmie.
Major International Appearances
European Championships: 1955 1956 1962 1963* and 1965
Bermuda Bowl: 1950
World Olympiad: 1964
* = 1st place
Camrose Trophy Selections: 1939 1946 1947 1951 1953 1955 1956 1962 1963 and 1965
Gold Cup Winner: 1939 and 1961
Crockfords winner: 1952
Spring Foursomes Winner: 1965
The Hubert Phillips Bowl Winner: 1966
National Pairs winner: 1954
Tollemache Cup winner: 1947 1951 1961 1964 and 1966