November 2024 - 75

Paul Swanson | 1932-2024
Grand Life Master Paul Thomas Swanson of Jupiter
FL died Sept. 23. Swanson, a five-time NABC champion,
was 92.
Swanson won the 1972 Mitchell Open Board-a-Match
Teams, the 1973 von Zedtwitz Life Master Pairs, the
1976 Freeman Mixed Board-a-Match Teams and the
Wernher Open Pairs in 1979 and 1986. He and partner
Jack Blair won the Mott-Smith Trophy in 1972 for most
masterpoints earned at the Spring NABC, and he had
five second-place finishes in NABC contests, including
three in the Reisinger.
Swanson twice represented the U.S. in world championship
events, in 1986 and 2009.
In 1978, Swanson won the Cavendish Invitational
Pairs with Roy Fox.
Born in Morgantown WV, Swanson spent most of
his life there. In 1952, Paul proudly served his country
in the U.S. Army, deploying to Korea. Following his
military service, he attended West Virginia University,
where he pursued a degree in engineering. His passion
for innovation and entrepreneurship led him to join
Morgantown Machine in 1960. Just four years later,
with the encouragement of his peers,
he established his own chrome plating
business, Swanson Plating. Swanson
transformed the company from a
small three-person operation into
Swanson Industries, a powerhouse
in the mining industry. The company
expanded rapidly, growing to employ
over 800 people across five states by the time it was sold
in 2011. Despite the company's vast expansion, Paul
remained deeply committed to his community. Over
half of his workforce came from the Morgantown area, a
testament to his loyalty and dedication to his roots.
After retiring, Swanson moved to Jupiter FL where
he was the owner of The Bridge Place in Lake Park for a
decade.
Paul is survived by his wife of 35 years, Judy
Youngblood Swanson, as well as his stepson Brooke
Hoyer; grandsons Fin Hoyer and Frost Hoyer of
Portland OR; sister Karen Pellegrin; and brothers
Richard Swanson and Arthur Swanson. 2
Mary Laier | 1939-2024
By the family
Our beloved bridge diva, Mary Anne Laier, passed
away Sept. 29 at the age of 85.
Her life journey started in Flint MI where she was
born and later married. Philip Laier and Mary Anne had
five children and moved on to Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Mary Anne then moved to Texas, where she gained a
slew of new friends and good times.
Mary Anne was a Diamond Life Master, president
of the Texas Capital Bridge Association (Unit 207),
a passionate club director and an instructor on land
and sea. She loved to travel, share a margarita, and
enthrall a room with witty tales. She was open-minded,
open-hearted and full of wisdom.
Mary Anne is survived by a large family, including
four daughters who loved her dearly
- Caroline Ampuero, Louise Laier,
Christine Thomas and Patricia
Junkins - as well as sons-in-law
Julio, Mark, Craig and Andrew. She is
also survived by nine grandchildren
(Michelle, Gabriela, Ligia, Philip,
Benjamin, Lee, Devin, Bryce and Lia),
her sister Patricia, sister-in-law Marilyn, and sisterly
friend Bobbie Gruhlkey. She is preceded in death by her
son Phillip, brother James McGinty, and parents Gerard
and Marilouise McGinty.
A memorial will be planned in the future. Friends
and family are encouraged to donate to the American
Cancer Society in her honor. 2
November 2024 | Bridge Bulletin |
75
Photo by Jonathan Steinberg
November 2024

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