Seamus Browne, one of the greats of bridge in Australia and NZ, died over Easter, in Christchurch. It seems he was admitted to hospital with a brain haemorrhage and passed away within a few hours as nothing could be done for him. Seamus was one of many top players from Christchurch who moved to Sydney. He was the prototype pro bridge player, hired by Frank Theeman to be his partner. Seamus was a popular figure and a gentleman at the bridge table, and avoided being embroiled in the controversy surrounding Theeman (some leading bridge players had been working with disappeared newspaper publisher and heiress Juanita Nielsen in opposing Theeman’s development of Victoria St, Kings Cross). Seamus ran the Double Bay Bridge Centre, and directed and taught at Trumps. He suffered brain injuries in a road accident, and resided mainly in NZ in recent years. Vale Seamus Browne.

Seamus represented Australia in international competition in 1980 in the World Bridge Games, formerly Olympiad, he played in the Open team in the APBF, formerly Far East Championships in 1981, 1983, 1990, 1994 and 1999. Seamus also represented Australia in the Bermuda Bowl twice, 1997 and 1999.

Seamus’ funeral will be on Thursday, April 9 at 2.30pm (NZST). Consult the Death Notice for details.