EARLY LEGENDS
GOREN AND SILODOR
The person seated on the left is known universally as Mr. Bridge .. Charlie Goren. Leaning over him is Sidney Silodor (the first celebrated partner of my late husband) who discovered Norman while in his twenties There is no way to positively identify the year the picture was taken. An educated guess would be the early fifties.
I only knew Charlie casually (although he attended our wedding in Philadelphia in August of 1963 but it was rumored he had become a shell of his former robust self ). By the time I came upon the serious glitz and glitter of the bridge scene in 1960, his mind was starting to go downhill and the problem surfaced as the onset of dementia caused by pressure on the optic nerve. No one will ever replace him as it is unchallenged that Goren was the person who put bridge on the map. Who knows if any of us would be here today savoring the game and making countless friends the world over had it not been for his charm and mesmerizing talent for promoting our fascinating pastime (which in some cases resulted in very lucrative livelihoods as is witnessed by the professionalism that exists today).
The gentleman to the right was especially dear to me. Sidney Silodor, who was also a Philadelphian (though born in Bayonne, NJ), spotted Norman while he was playing with some prominent New Yorkers (Edgar Kaplan, Lenny Harmon, Ivar Stakgold, et al.) and it took some convincing (after having Norman travel to New York to be interviewed and "tested" by B. J. Becker) before he was welcomed aboard their team. It was initially disappointing that B. J. didn’t think Norman, though admittedly talented, was quite ready and not ‘seasoned’ enough for the big time at the moment — but six months later was overruled as Norman was successfully added to Sidney’s illustrious group and a year or so later got to represent the country with them in South America. I grew very close to Sidney and Bessie Silodor while I was dating Norman, but our friendship was too short lived as Sidney sadly died of cancer at 57 — exactly two weeks before our wedding. However, I shall always treasure my brief period of intimacy with the Silodors.
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Bridge-related
Charlie Goren was still alive when I got mixed up in the bridge world. His name was on everyone’s tongue, but no one (at least from my crowd) knew he was in failing health. It must have been an unbelievable thrill to have him as a guest at your wedding. Being a native Philadelphian, it was no doubt the talk of the town.
Yes, Philadelphia claimed him as their native son, but most of his time was spent in New York. traveling to the tournaments and eventually he settled in Florida. When he became unable to take care of himself, someone (possibly a nephew) was appointed (hired) to care for Charlie at his home. He survived until he was in his early nineties. The story that got around was that news of his death was not reported to the press for a few weeks — not until the end of the month. His passing was “not gravely exaggerated” — but conveniently withheld — as it was rumored that the person acting as caretaker didn’t want to lose his final month’s salary so waited until it was due before making the announcement. I guess in the bridge world anything is possible.
A ghoulish story!
Tell us more about Sidney. Other than being a great player, I have read very little about him.
Rene
Hi Rene:
Other than his bridge achievements, I didn’t know all that much about his background as he was basically shy. Sidney was a warm, modest human being with a lovable personality and was a family-oriented individual, who shyed away from discussing his consistently great successes at the highest plateaus. He adored playing golf whenever the opportunity availed itself. When I met Norman, he was competing with Sidney exclusively (except an occasional Mixed Pair with me — and it was an strain for me to follow suit in those days). He was a natural charmer and the gals adored him. Sidney taught at the Philadelphia Country Clubs and was in tremendous demand. Then poof! All of a sudden he was diagnosed as cancer ridden and lasted for less than six months. Bessie, Norman and I visited him every day at the hospital until his death. Philadelphians appeared in throngs to pay their last respects. It was a fitting farewell to a terrific guy whom I didn’t know nearly long enough!