TOBIAS J. STONE PASSES ON

I am saddened to report that our good friend known throughout bridgeland as the fabled “Stoney” passed on this morning at St. Joseph Traditional Rehabilitation Center in Las Vegas after a brief illness at the age of 92.

A native New Yorker, he was the co-inventor of the Roth-Stone system with his partner of many years, Alvin Roth.   Stoney was a quite visible successful bridge figure for many decades in the Manhattan area and the NABCs with an incredible lightning-like sense of humor.  It was traditional for him to entertain after-hours crowds at P. J Clarke’s famous eatery in New York on Third Avenue with his hilarious repertoire.

Stoney was also a champion backgammon player.  He retired from bridge some forty years ago and eventually migrated to Las Vegas in the eighties.  Stoney also had a tremendous winning baccarat streak at Caesar’s Palace and loved all types of sports betting.   Life was never dull for him or his many friends by whom he was surrounded during the greater part of his life.

Bobby and I made weekly visits to see him after his confinement at St. Joe’s.   Although practically bedridden, his mind was sharp as ever and he never lost his sense of humor.    In fact, last week I told a ‘funny’ when we arrived, to which he replied in a stern voice and serious demeanor, “I tell the jokes around here!” and indeed he did!   We shall miss him.