James R. Greer,68, of New Canaan passed away peacefully at his home in the presence of his loving family on Thursday, November 10, 2011, after a brief illness. He was born on February 2, 1943,in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of John and Margaret (Robertson) Greer. He came to Stamford, Connecticut in 1954. He attended Dartmouth College and Boston University, and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Government from Boston University in 1966. Mr. Greer had retired after a successful career in Executive Search and Outplacement, during which he concentrated his talents on helping other people meet their career goals. He said that he preferred working on Outplacement because it gave him the opportunity to be of material help to persons who had lost their jobs. After retirement Jim was able to give his time to his avocation as a player of duplicate bridge. Before his final illness he was the 11th ranked duplicate bridge player in Connecticut and the 50th ranked in all of New England. He was on the bridge team which, in 2009, won the District 25 Championship Flight North American Teams title. Jim's tournament record (some 6000 masterpoints) put him in the top 1% of all tournament players in the country. He and his beloved wife, Maeve, loved to participate in bridge tournaments, attending most contests in New England and many important tournaments on the National level. He taught the game he loved both in private lessons and at several local senior centers. Jim was known to his many friends and to his family as a kind man with a penetrating mind and a dry sense of humor. He was a well-informed fan of many sports, always ready with unexpected insights on the teams he followed. He will be remembered for his gentle smile and quiet presence as much as for his many achievements. He is survived by his wife, Maeve Lucey; a nephew; several cousins; and by many, many bridge partners, bridge students, and friends. He was predeceased by his sister Catherine Kennedy. The family will receive friends at the Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan on Sat November 12, 2001 from 3:00 to 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may made to American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Road , Wilton ,CT 06897 Saturday November 12, 2011 , 3:00 - 7:00pm at Hoyt Funeral Home Click for Map and Directions