Phil
Wood (1921 - 2010), has been a retired national tournament
director revered as Mr. Bridge in the Pacific Northwest.
Wood was a veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force. During World War II, he was assigned to England’s Royal Air Force Bombing Squadron, flying 39 missions over France and Germany and earning a Distinguished Flying Cross.
The Richmond BC resident was the first Canadian TD to earn national rank, the highest attainable. Wood began his directing career in 1954 after working as a baseball writer, broadcaster and statistician.
He served as tournament manager for District 18 for many years, starting in 1971.
He also managed country club bridge activity in greater Vancouver, averaging more than 400 tables per month. He retired as a tournament director in 1988 but continued to be active in bridge.
Wood was hailed for his role as co-chair of the 1999 Spring NABC in Vancouver, his back yard.
ACBL Board Member Al Levy wrote in his District 24 newsletter that “Vancouver had it all . . . (and) much credit goes to Phil Wood.”
At the tournament’s Goodwill Committee meeting, Wood was honored for his long service and his expertise at promoting bridge by making sure everyone had fun.
He died on Feb. 14 of Parkinson’s disease. He was 88.