Family and friends of quizmaster and educationist Neil O’Brien celebrated what would have been his 83rd birthday at the Dalhousie Institute on May 10. The two-hour-long programme began, fittingly, with a written open quiz. This was followed by the launch of Neil O’Brien’s The Calcutta Quiz Book by his wife Joyce and three of their grandchildren Aanya, Raisa and Nadia.

What followed was an emotional evening where friends, family and quizzers who had quizzed with or had been quizzed by “the father of quizzing in India” talked about their memories of the man.

While the quizzers spoke about his passion for quizzing and the inspiration he provided to them, sons Derek O’Brien and Barry O’Brien spoke about Neil O’Brien the father, giving the audience a rare glimpse into the man behind the quizmaster, a man who was stern, just as he was kind. Son Andy O’Brien, who called in from Perth, spoke about why, even though Derek and Barry were the quizmasters, it was Andy who was chosen as Neil O’Brien’s quiz mate.

“Though my father was a man for all seasons he refused to change the season for the DI Open Quiz. Now he isn’t here to tell us when to have the quiz, we are going to shift it to winter. It will now be called the Neil O’Brien DI Open Quiz for the Errol Cowper Trophy,” announced Barry O’Brien, who conducted the evening’s proceedings. 

The whole evening was dotted with quizzes and prizes like hampers, which Barry said Neil O’Brien loved, were given away.