John Adams (August 26, 1944 to January 17, 2014)

John Adams was a regular at Adventures in Bridge and all the local tournaments. Here are some memories and a biography.

Bill Grant

John was always very competitive but at the same time very friendly.

Matthew Kidd

Along the line of Bill’s memory, I doubled John and his partner in a three level matchpoint contract at the San Diego regional and collected +200. The next hand he struck back with a double of our two level contract. I laughed and said, “you want it back right away, don’t you” and John acknowledged this with a small smile. But Trish played the hand brilliantly and we left with two tops.

Time passes so quickly. I finally played with John for the first time at our sectional last May, one of five first time partnerships in three days while running a sectional when I hadn’t intended to play at all. We had talked about playing again in saner circumstances but sadly never got around to it.

Andy Loh

John Adams recruited me to play with Patrick Mahoney and be on his GNT “B” team together with his partner Mike Weber. The four of us went to Dana Point and won the District 22 Finals. Patrick could not go so Jim Andrews substituted for him and the four of us went to the New Orleans NABC in the summer of 2010 and represented District 22. Every “B” Team from each of the 25 Districts competed with each other at the NABC. After four grueling days of 56 boards each day, the D22 team lost in the semi-finals.

In 2011, the “Adams” team with John, Mike Webber, Alan Rowen, and I went to Dana Point and won the "B" section again. This time Alan could not go so John Lagodimos substituted for him and the Team went to the Toronto NABC to represent D22. This time, the team was eliminated after the first round.

The team really enjoyed playing together under John's leadership and was probably a highlight in John’s bridge career.

Biography

Born in Gloucester, Mass., John grew up in Ocean Beach and graduated from Point Loma HS in 1962. He pursued a career in business, completing his degree in Accounting at SDSU in 1967. Later, he started his tax and investment business. For over thirty years, John taught accounting and business at Mesa and City Colleges. John enjoyed traveling and was an avid bridge player with a lifetime ranking of Silver Grand Master.

John will be missed by his family and many friends. He is survived by his sisters, Carol Blackford (Gary) and Donnalee Bubeck (Richard); his nephew, Gary Blackford; and niece, Kristi Bubeck; his grand-niece, Cheyenne Blackford; and grand-nephew, Jaiden Grice; and his extended family.

A Memorial Mass celebrating John’s life will be held at Sacred Heart Church of Ocean Beach at 11 a.m., on Monday, February 24 with a reception to follow in the church hall. The family suggests donations to the Mesa College Foundation. Please indicate "In Memory of John Adams."

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