Class Notes, Nov-Dec,2026

Doug Connell passed away on July 3, 2026.  Doug was likely the longest-serving member of our class in the U.S. Armed Forces, having spent 28 years as a Naval Aviator.  Doug came to Yale on a Navy ROTC scholarship, was a varsity lacrosse player, a member of DKE and did New Haven community service work with a troop of inner-city Boy Scouts as a member of Alpha Phi Omega.  Following our graduation in June 1969, Doug had two very busy weeks – after Commencement, he was commissioned in the U.S. Navy, married the love of his life, Kathy Dodge Connell, and left for flight school in Pensacola, FL.

During his long Navy career, Doug flew attack and fighter aircraft, commanded a Carrier Attack Squadron and two Carrier Air Wings (as “Air Boss”), with ten cruises at sea and over 1300 landings on eleven different aircraft carriers.  He served as 2^nd Fleet Director of Operations during Desert Storm, 6^th Fleet Chief of Staff out of Gaeto, Italy, managing US and NATO forces during the conflicts in Bosnia, and numerous tours at the Pentagon.  Captain Connell commanded squadrons and carrier air wings, with service as Second Fleet Operations Officer during Desert Storm and Sixth Fleet Chief of Staff during Bosnian conflicts in the 1990s. He also served at the Pentagon in senior staff positions in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. He was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, four Legion of Merit Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy Meritorious Medal, among other individual and unit awards. Doug retired from the Navy as a Captain in 1998.

Following his Navy career, Doug worked with a defense consulting firm in the D.C. area, where he was SVP and chief development officer.  In 2010, Doug and Kathy moved to the area near Charlottesville, VA, where he worked for a period as a docent at Jefferson’s home at Monticello and on the Potomac Appalachian Trail.  He was also a lay minister for the Episcopal Church for many years, both while in the service and after his retirement.

Doug’s partner in life, Kathy, shared his faith and commitment to service and was his better half for 57 years, including the long family separations during his flying career.

After retiring from defense consulting, Doug and his wife Kathryn moved to Nellysford, Virginia. There he enjoyed fly fishing and golf, maintaining trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and serving as a docent at Thomas Jefferson’s former home at Monticello.

Doug was a man who lived his faith, serving as an active Episcopal Church lay minister wherever he was stationed. He also served as vestryman and Senior Warden at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Greenwood, Virginia. (Mike Plishner contributed most of this memorial, with some editing by your scribe.)

Michael Stuart Smernoff passed away peacefully on July 7, 2026, in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Michael lived a life marked by dedication, love, and an easy-going nature that endeared him to all who knew him. After Yale he earned an MBA from Rutgers University, laying the foundation for a successful career. He worked with Wometco Enterprises in Coral Gables, Florida, before serving as Comptroller and Vice President of Operations at the Tallahassee Democrat. Later, he became Financial Director at Tri-Eagle Sales until his retirement in 2013. Michael decided he wasn’t quite ready for the full relaxation of retirement, so he became a substitute teacher with Leon County Schools. A devoted family man, Michael is survived by his loving wife Leslie Smernoff; and children and grandchildren. Michael’s passions extended beyond his professional life. An avid animal lover, he cherished the companionship of his three dogs and his cat London. His love for travel took him to breathtaking destinations such as Alaska, Croatia, Ireland, and along the Danube River. Michael was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan and cheered for numerous NCAA and NFL teams including UGA, FSU, UM, the New England Patriots, and the New York Giants. A talented pianist with an ear for classical music, he often played pieces by Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach from memory.

Hope to see you at The Game in Boston!