By Gregory A. Weiss
Some news from Susan Billard, Stephen’s wife (nice to hear from one of our brides — we should be encouraging more!): “September 17 in San Diego, California, a Yale vs. USD football game was attended by Class of 1966 members. A reception Friday night and a tailgate party before the game made it possible to find classmates attending the function. Stephen Kaufman, Rick Hart, Tim Wollaeger, Dug Chisholm, Joe Wolf, and Stephen Billard renewed friendships and Yale memories. Unfortunately, after a good first half, the Elis lost the game to USD. No matter. A good time was had by all. Saturday night, at Churasco’s Latin American Grill, Dug and Mary Alice Chisholm, Joe Wolf and Ksala Yuen, and Stephen and Susan Billard held a mini class dinner. We toasted the class and good times, and are looking forward to meeting again at the 40th in June 2006.”
The November 6 New York Times reported the marriage of Will Taft’s son, William Taft V, to a fellow Yalie, Begum Benju, an architectural designer with a master’s from Harvard. Young Will is an associate at Debevoise & Plimpton in New York, having graduated from NYU Law School and clerked for Sam Alito. The article described him as the great-great-grandson of President William H. Taft.
Bill Martin ’68 sends the following: “With great sadness, I share with you the news that my friend and your classmate Thomas F. (Tom) Godfrey died November 2, at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York, at the age of 61. Tom fought a long and courageous battle against pancreatic cancer, enduring two major surgeries as well as chemotherapy and radiation. Throughout, he maintained an optimistic outlook and lived life to the fullest. He went to work when he could, competed aggressively in his beloved racing sailboat 23 Skidoo, and enjoyed many good times with friends, right up until the time of his recent hospitalization. In March, he and Carole spent a wonderful anniversary cruise in the Caribbean with family and close friends. Tom is survived by his wife Carole Alexander; his children Peter, Mary, Mark, and Andrew Godfrey; stepchildren Jenny and Dr. Daniel Alexander; and five beloved grandchildren. A funeral mass was said by Tom’s boyhood friend, Fr. John Worthley, at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Manhasset, New York, on Friday, November 4. Donations in Tom’s memory may be made to PanCAN, 2141 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245. Notes to Carole will reach her at 30 Longridge Road, Manhasset, NY 11030.”
As noted above, make sure you lock the 40th into your calendars for June 1-4!