Class Note 1953

A wedding and a memorial service on the same day: two important events, each of which was defined by three generations of family participating. Harlan Fair married Granthia Preston at Kendal in Hanover. Jimmy Fair ’18 was the best man for his grandfather. The children and grandchildren of both the bride and the groom abounded and participated in the simple and elegant ceremony, after which we enjoyed a lovely reception. Allen Collins, Put Blodgett, Barbara and John Kennedy, and Bobby and Mark Smoller attended from the class, along with Brooks Preston ’90, the bride’s son, and many of Granthia’s Middlebury classmates. We then repaired with the other wedding guests to Dowds’ Country Inn for a joyful dinner.

While in New York City at the same time, Len Gochman, Vivian and Richard Cahn, Nate Burkan, Mike Zarin, Charlie Buchanan, and Emily and Herb Klagsbrun attended the memorial service for Liliane Lazar. Liliane, a Holocaust survivor, left her home in Paris to marry Ron Lazar. She bore three children, two of whom are Dartmouth alums, while becoming a shining star as a teacher, writer, and world-renowned expert on Simone de Beauvoir. She taught French at Dartmouth for a few summers for professor John Rassias. Richard Cahn reports that their children and grandchildren contributed heartfelt stories as those present rejoiced in the wonderful life which Liliane had lived.

A third event, our ’53 Ski Day, was held on March 14. Dave Donovan writes that they have had 19 very good years, but the old legs are not as strong as they used to be; so, perhaps this is the last Ski Day. The skiers were Put Blodgett, Dave Donovan, Harlan Fair, Granthia Preston, Dick O’Connor, and Allen Newton. After skiing they were joined for après-ski cocktails and then dinner by Cynthia Donovan, Marge Cook, Donna Reilly, Barbara Newton, and Allen Collins. A good time was had by all.

I am sorry to report the deaths of Leo Clancy, John Cunningham, William Dolan, and Martin Gold and offer the heartfelt sympathy of our classmates to their families.

—Mark H. Smoller, 410 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com