Class Notes, Sep-Oct 2023

From online sources:

“James Vincent Minor III of Wilton, CT died unexpectedly on April 1, 2023 in Norwalk Hospital at the age of 75. Jim was born to Betty and Dr. James Vincent Minor II in Norwalk, CT. He is survived by his wife Andrea Byrne Minor, his three children, James Vincent Minor IV, Sister Mary Hannah (Emily), Andrew Minor, and his beloved granddaughters Zoe and Holly.

An accomplished academic, he studied at Portsmouth Abbey, then Yale, and after leaving the military he earned his Juris Doctorate at the University of Connecticut. Jim reached the rank of Major in the CT Army National Guard as a Field Artilleryman. He originally joined the US Army during the Vietnam War and was deployed to Turkey.

He spent the majority of his legal career in public service, first representing the City of Norwalk and then the City of Stamford, arguing cases that went as far as the Connecticut Supreme Court. He was a devout Roman Catholic, an avid cyclist, a birder, and a voracious reader. He was also a generous person who helped friends and family with legal issues; a supporter of those who were in recovery and even going so far as to welcome people into his home who needed a place to live. Most of all he loved being a father, grandfather, and uncle to all of the children in his life.”

Matt Flynn writes: “Jim Minor and I were classmates for four years at Portsmouth Abbey before we came to Yale. He was an Army veteran, a wonderful friend, fine lawyer and loving husband to Andrea and their three children. I and all his many friends will miss his humor, generosity and warm demeanor.”

Some birthday thoughts from Nick Putnam:

“I turned 76 recently and we had a little celebration.  Someone asked me to “say a few words.” With no time to think, I said time seems to fly by more quickly than when I was younger.  I think it is a good idea to “seize the day,” and not assume that you still have plenty of time to do some of the things you have always wanted to do.  I mentioned kindness.  You really can’t go wrong with kindness.  Thirdly, nurture your relationships.  They are crucial to having a happy late life.

Personally, I am fine.  I have Parkinson’s Disease, which you can “push back on” by staying active (and even boxing of all things.)  I still work a bit.  I tried to stop, but I missed the kids (I am a child and adolescent psychiatrist) more than I expected.  They have had such a rough few years recently with the pandemic.

Two daughters and three grandsons keep me busy without having all the responsibilities of a parent. Never underestimate the importance of grandparents.

I sometimes interview applicants to Yale for the local Alumni Schools Committee.  These kids are incredibly bright and creative, but admission to Yale is declined for all but less than 5% of them.  It makes you wonder whether we would be admitted to Yale if we applied today.”

Tom Reed writes:

“Dottie and I continue to split our year between the White Mountains and Sarasota, watching the one state turn bluer, the other redder. Especially given Florida’s black sheep Eli governor’s assault on education (“Light and Truth”?), I’m pleased to say both our kids are still deeply committed to the field. Daughter Abigail is Director of Expansion at the School for Ethics and Global Leadership in D.C. and is starting up a semester program in London. Son Dan is chairing the English Department at Newark Academy in Livingston, NJ, where he seems well on his way to becoming Mr. Chips.

Dottie and I head off in September to walk the Speyside Way south of Inverness before I co-lead a literary walking tour of Scotland for Dickinson College alumni. Then it’s back to the U.S. for the launch of my second novel, Pocketful of Poseys, a dark family comedy that follows contentious twins as they sprinkle their parents’ ashes at sundry spots around the globe. Looking forward to our 55^th!” (Scribe note: Our 55^th is just around the corner in late May or early June 2024.)

From Wayne Willis over on the class website: “Michael Folz and his wife Maureen collaborated with our Norm Zamchek (piano) and Paul Severtson (violin) to produce — over the internet — an original song that Michael wrote: If I Were To Call You. The production values are quite good, and it’s hosted here on Yale1969.org for your listening pleasure.” Your scribe has listened to it, and he is constantly amazed at the creativity and skill of his classmates. Go to the (remade) website and listen for yourself!