November 2021 - 71

Dennis McGarry | 1947-2021
By the McGarry family
Dennis McGarry, a Grand Life Master of Stuart FL,
died Sept. 6 after a short battle with cancer. He was 73.
Dennis amassed more than 18,000 masterpoints, an
NABC title (the 2010 Keohane North American Swiss
Teams), and countless friends throughout the bridge
world.
Born in Cleveland OH, Dennis attended Case Western
Reserve, graduating with a bachelor's degree. It was
during his days there that he learned to play bridge in the
student union. He went on to Kent State to work on his
master's degree, but left after the tragic events of 1970. He
returned to Cleveland, where he started playing rubber
bridge and also discovered a talent for poker. He quickly
became an expert at both. Soon after, Dennis entered the
world of professional bridge, and his passion for the game
grew.
One of Dennis's favorite stories involved one of the
all-time greats in the bridge world, Jeff Meckstroth. At
a team dinner one night, Jeff related how he first met
Dennis. Jeff had just been crowned King of Bridge when
he was 18 in 1974, and at the Cleveland Regional that year,
finding himself without a game, Jeff asked the director
which of the many present he should kibitz. The director
steered him to the table where Dennis was playing. Jeff
Margaret Curvin | 1940-2021
By the family of the deceased
Marge Curvin of Tucson AZ passed away on Aug. 17
from the debilitating effects of lymphedema. She was 80.
A trailblazer, Marge excelled as a competitive bond
underwriter on Wall Street when women were often
considered an anomaly in that field. With unwavering
conviction, Marge went on to run the bond department at
Manufacturer's Hanover.
Seeking a new challenge, Marge left the fast pace of
New York City to become an owner of a small country
store and restaurant in North Jersey. She built a successful
business without previous experience, working long
hours seven days per week. Eventually, her adventurous
spirit took hold and she sold her business to pursue a
career in real estate.
When the lure of retirement and sun-filled days took
precedence, Marge established roots in Tucson where
duplicate bridge became her passion. She was a reliable
bridge partner and a patient and encouraging mentor. She
always enjoyed learning.
Lymphedema made it difficult for Marge to remain
stationary at the bridge table and to travel. At the time of
her passing, she was a few gold points shy of achieving the
rank of Life Master.
relates that after watching
Dennis that evening, he
decided he wanted a career
playing professional
bridge. Dennis took great
delight in hearing and
retelling this story.
After his marriage to
Linda, they moved to California
and started a successful
automotive service
business. Later, they moved to Florida and continued the
business. But the lure of tournament bridge, coupled with
his love of the game, brought him back 10 years later to the
world he loved most.
During the many years Dennis played professionally in
tournaments all around the world, he was partnered by
some of the top names in ACBL history. Among them were
Grant Baze and Jim Zimmerman. But his most successful
partnership was with bridge legend Zeke Jabbour. Together
they won several titles and enjoyed many laughs.
Dennis is survived by his wife Linda, two stepchildren,
a sister, several nieces and nephews, and more friends
than one can count.
An avid reader, Marge gave back to her community
as a mentor and supporter of the Tucson-based charity,
Literacy Connects. In August, Tucson Charity Bridge Inc.
donated $1000 to Literacy Connects on her behalf as part
its program to honor members who have died.
Marge was preceded in death by sister, Beatrice and
husbands, Al and Dick. She is survived by her two nieces,
Linda and Susan, her nephew, Mitchel and his wife, Lisa,
three grand-nieces and two grand-nephews. She will be
missed.
November 2021 | Bridge Bulletin |
71
November 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2021
