John and I learned to play bridge in the old air raid warden's underground bunker at St Martins Church ... Alan Moss

JOHN Eldridge, died suddenly of a  massive heart attack on Saturday, October 21, 2006 in Wellington.
Beloved husband and soul mate of Nola and dearly loved father and father-in-law of Rachel, Michael and Shonagh, he was also `dearly loved John' of Eden, Alana and Craig. He was the loved brother and brother-in-law of Mary, Maurice and Jean and the late Howard, all of England.
He was the dearly loved friend of Lyn, Christopher and Brendon.
A celebration of John's life will be held at the War Memorial, Marine Parade, Napier, on Friday, October 27, 2006, at 11.00am, followed by a private cremation. In lieu of flowers donations to St John Ambulance Transport Division may be left in the entrance to the War Memorial or posted to P O Box 5118, Greenmeadows, Napier.

A Bridge Tribute
John (lovingly dubbed NZ's Mr Bridge) is deeply mourned by a shocked New Zealand Contract Bridge community, many of whom were gathered at Hamilton Congress at Labour Weekend when the news hit. The loss is sad but what a joy he was in life.
 Anyone who plays bridge  from Wellington to Cape Reinga  to Invercargill has had his guiding hand at major events and will remember him as one of New Zealand's best known and respected directors.
 Nothing was too much trouble for John and his wicked sense of humour diffused many a tense suituation.
There is a huge gap in all our bridge lives that will be very hard to fill.