October 2018 - 72

Remembering TQ
Tom Quinlan 1942-2018

By Warren Cederborg

went past."
"How large would the penalty have
"That's just another blow to our
to be for you to decide that you need
generation," Mike Lawrence said upon to pick up the pace?" he asked.
hearing of Tom's passing. Lawrence
Tom's wife, Janice Nakao, said Tom
added that he had known Tom since
loved the puzzles that always seemed
the '60s, and that while directors and
to confront top-level tournament
players often traveled in different
directors.
circles, "Tom was a pleasure. He was a
"He enjoyed setting up large tourpeaking from experience, I always delight."
naments and liked to design the most
referred to Tom Quinlan as the
National Director Matt Smith said
efficient way to move the people and
kind of friend who would drop
Tom was a model for him of what
the boards," Janice said. "Those skills
everything and bail you out of any
a professional tournament director
were particularly important at the 1991
sticky situation, even if it meant a
should be.
Las Vegas national where the table
cross-country flight.
"He seemed to know everything,"
count topped 24,000."
When Tom died in June, at 76, after Smith said. "He never lost his cool, and
Janice said patience was his strong
a short battle with cancer, bridge play- he was a relentlessly hard worker who
suit. "As a director, he was a patient
ers everywhere lost such a friend.
was always prepared."
and affable listener - even the most
Starting in 1964, Tom - known to
Smith added that Tom had an
agitated player usually left his 'office'
many simply as TQ - rose through the amazing ability to deal with difficult or smiling."
directorial ranks to where he attained
upset players.
Janice said Tom was a well-rounded
the lofty post of National Director"He seemed to always turn volatile,
individual.
in-charge, starting at the Anaheim
angry players into meek, submissive
"In addition to playing bridge, TQ
NABC in 1987, and holding that posi- individuals after a short heart-to-heart loved music, from classical to country,
tion until after the Orlando tournaconversation.
and he particularly enjoyed listening
ment in 1998.
"On top of all that, Tom had a
to jazz from the local radio station. He
It would be a most difficult task to
wicked sense of humor that made
was a good cook and grew his own
touch on all the hats that Tom wore in being around him constant fun. I don't herbs for making sauces and marihis 50-plus years as a working memthink it is too much to say that - by
nades."
ber of the ACBL While ascending
his example - Tom inspired
to the presidency of the Professional
a generation of directors to
Tournament Directors Association,
be the best they could be. I
Tom served District 21 in a variety of
know that's true for me."
capacities - not the least being editor
Smith said he recalled an
of the Contract Bridge Forum.
incident at a regional in which
Former ACBL President Ken
TQ had to deal with an
Monzingo said he first met Tom when unusually slow pair that was
taking over as editor of the Forum.
disrupting an entire section.
"The transition from Tom to me was
After finishing late in yet ansmooth, and a great friendship devel- other round, TQ approached
oped immediately. I loved the man,
the offenders with an unctuhis calm nature, sense of humor, and
ous smile and politely asked
understanding were a great influence." to speak to them away from
Monzingo said that while Tom went the table.
on to be a top director, they shared
"I could really use your
one honor. "We published the Forum
help with something," he
for more than half a century together. told them. Once away from
Quinlan at the helm with fellow
Both of us took great pride in that, and the table, however, the tone
National
TD Bobbie Shipley circa 1990.
our friendship only grew as the years
quickly changed.

72 Bridge Bulletin October 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2018