One happy result of Eliza’s and my move to the West Coast is that we have completely upended our traditional network of contacts and sphere of influence—not sure I actually had one of those! Additionally, the class Facebook page has brought us, and many other classmates, into contact with those we did not know well or with whom we had lost touch. My new local ’hood is home to Gary T. Lafayette, who recently hit the join button. Gary, a very successful litigation lawyer, is founding partner at the 21-year-old firm of Lafayette & Kumagai. After Dartmouth Gary attended law school at the University of California at Berkeley and interned with Justice Frank Newman of the California Supreme Court. He has received numerous awards over the years, including California Lawyer Attorney of the Year.


Speaking of awards and lawyers, word comes that Joe Yastrow was recently voted by his peers as Best Lawyers’ 2014-15 Chicago Litigation-Labor Employment Lawyer of the Year. Joe is president of Laner Muchin Ltd., a Chicago-based firm dedicated exclusively to the representation of management in labor and employment law matters. As some of you may know, Joe is a boxing enthusiast, which may explain a lot. He currently resides in Highland Park, Illinois, with his wife and two children. In addition to his successful law career, Joe has devoted much of his time to fundraising and related charitable activities. He was a founding executive board member of the Children’s Brittle Bone Foundation (CBBF) and testified before the U.S. Congress on behalf of the CBBF. He is also a working volunteer in the Anti-Cruelty Society’s dog care program in Chicago. 


Brad Ashley and I had a chance to catch up recently. Brad lives in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and sent me this update in response to news of my daughter’s wedding: “As for my two sons, one is now an obstetrician/gynecologist so he at least catches babies while we dream of grandkids. I spent eight years as a head of school in Wisconsin, where Rob Manegold surprised me at the hiring interview with my picture from the frosh book—still got the job. Too funny!” He is married to Janet Warner-Ashley, who taught for many years at the St. Johnsbury Academy. After his own stint in education Brad is now onto other challenges and is working on development projects in the Northeast Kingdom in an effort to stimulate jobs and the local economy.


Another of my victims was our own Hanover insider, Jeff Sassorossi, who tells me that his daughter, Chrissie, is moving to Chicago. Thankfully (Jeff’s word), she has a job and will be gainfully employed in the ad biz. His son, William, is finishing up his master’s and should be well on his way. Don’t forget to track down Jeff when you are in town (Hanover). 


On a more somber note, I inform you of the passing in August of Fred Williamson and James Reed. James was an independent oil and gas producer and passed away at his home in Charleston, West Virginia. Fred lived in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and passed away at the Bridgeport Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. More complete obituaries will be available on the online version. 


That’s it for now.


—Steve Gray, P.O. Box 296, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019; (650) 392.8739; stephendgray@gmail.com