Tribute to the late Mr Peter Jordan

IT is with great sadness that I have to report the death of a very good friend to Thamenews.net, Peter Jordan.

Peter Jordan (image courtesy of the EBU)

Peter was our landlord when Thamenews.net was launched from our first base in Jordans Courtyard, in 2003. On moving in day, he came in to our tiny office and welcomed us and became ThameNews.Net’s very first subscriber, signing up there and then on the spot.

Peter and his wife Barbara were always on hand to sort out quickly any plumbing or little problems that arose – and quickly on the scene when the burglar alarm would go off for some unknown reason. Peter loved gardening and kept the courtyard looking beautiful all the year round with shrubs, roses, and pots and hanging baskets of seasonal flowers, and allowed all the occupants of the offices in the courtyard to use the beautiful, sunny garden,  for coffee and lunch breaks, and to meet clients. 

At that time, Peter was managing the family business, the Delicatessen Jordan’s (now Rumsey’s Cafe and Chocolaterie), that had been the family business for more than 60 years. It had started as a butcher’s and originally had its own slaughterhouse behind the shop.

Peter was a fanatical bridge player and teacher of the game, and eventually became competition secretary for the Aylesbury-based English Bridge Union, and was Captain of Thame Bridge Club.

Peter’s latter years

In more recent months, I met Peter again when I discovered he was being cared for in the next room to my mother in Meadowcroft. They were taking care of him after a severe stroke struck him down out of the blue. Though not the physically active man that he was, Peter still enjoyed a good chat, especially if it was about the cricket he was watching on the TV, or the evening down at the pub in Towersey he had spent the previous night with his son and a group of Peter’s old friends from Towersey who would sometimes come and take him out, or Bridge friends who would pass the time with him in Meadowcroft over a rubber or two. He remained an intelligent and funny man, not wallowing in self-pity but determined to get all he could out of the life he was left with.  

My great respect goes out to Peter’s family, especially to Barbara who has been so strong, supportive and cheerful throughout Peter’s illness. 

I shall remember him with great affection and respect.

The following is a tribute from the English Bridge Union, with whom Peter had a very long association:

“We are sad to announce the death of former staff member, Peter Jordan on May 12, 2020. Peter came to the EBU on his retirement from his family business and stayed for the best part of 20 years, not only working in the Tournament Department but also acting as Congress Manager for the Summer Meetings and all our overseas congresses. As such he was one of the best-known faces of the EBU and was universally liked and respected for his kindness, warmth and efficiency.”

Ian Payn, Chair of the EBU said: “Peter was the heart and soul of the Tournament Department. It didn’t matter who rang up – he knew who they were and most likely what event they wanted to enquire about. His service on the Tournament Committee was invaluable, as he knew more than anyone what made various events work, and what didn’t. On retirement he was keenly missed, and we have lost a loyal and dedicated colleague, and a friend.”