Class Notes

Chester Graves Dann, LLB'58 died on November 7th, 2012, at the age of 81. After earning his Cornell degree, Dann began practicing at Phillips Lytle in Buffalo, before moving to Lincoln First Bank in Rochester, where he directed the legal department from 1964 to 1981. He returned to Buffalo in 1981 to become assistant headmaster for business affairs at Nichols School, which he had attended as a boy. Upon retiring, he and his wife moved to North Carolina to serve with Volunteers in Mission at Warren Wilson College. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; brother E. Webster; and children Elizabeth and Frederick.

Added 02/01/2013

John A. Rocray, LLB '58 died on August 18th, 2012 at his home in Brattleboro, VT. Upon graduating from Cornell Law, Rocray joined Fitts and Olsen, beginning a 55-year career as a Brattleboro attorney, including twelve years as states attorney for Windham County. A long-time member of the Vermont Bar Association, he was dedicated to his profession and greatly valued his interactions with colleagues; he was also known for his love of Shakespeare, music, and opera. Rocray is survived by his brothers Samuel and Peter; stepsister Jean; daughter Polly; and many nieces and nephews.

Added 11/14/2012

Judge Bruno J. Gioffre, AB '56, JD '58, was recently honored by the Cerebral Palsy of Westchester's (CPW) Pioneer Social Club with the Friendship award for 'selfless dedication' and involvement in the agency over the past twenty years. As a founding member of the law firm Gioffre & Gioffre and elected Justice of the Town of Rye (1966), Judge Gioffre has often helped the CPW with construction issues, zoning and planning matters, and with negotiating complex municipal rules. This award adds to the numerous honors Gioffre has received over the years, including election as President of the Westchester County Magistrates Association and President of the Port Chester-Rye Bar Association.

Added 02/02/2012

John D. Raiford, JD '58, died from cancer September 9th, 2011 at the age of 83. Raiford joined the Navy in 1946 and was accepted to the US Naval Academy in 1950 as one of a handful of black midshipmen in the first years following major governmental reform regarding military desegregation. Raiford continued his education at Cornell, and subsequently became a registered patent attorney, then an attorney and counselor of the Supreme Court of the United States. Raiford also worked for Hughes Research in Malibu for more than 30 years before his retirement in 1993. Following his retirement Raiford practiced law and engaged in community service. He was predeceased by his wife Karen in 2005, his daughter Joan, his sister Mattie and brother Knowledge, and is survived by his daughter Stacy; granddaughter Stacia; and nieces Jacqueline and Gwendolyn.

Added 10/28/2011

Marvin J. Rosenthal, LLB '58, JD '58, of Rochester, NY, passed away on March 14, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Ms. Joan S. Rosenthal.

Added 06/30/2010

The New-Press,/i> of Fort Myers, FL, reported that Clarence H. Snyder, JD '58 died on May 21, 2010. Mr. Snyder and his wife, Virginia (née Hannum), had lived in Fort Myers since 2004, where he participated in the worship and activities of the Cypress Lakes United Methodist Church and volunteered at Lee Memorial Hospital. Mr. Myers was born October 5, 1931, in Jamestown, NY, and graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1949. He graduated cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Colgate University in 1953. Between college and law school, Mr. Synder served in the U.S. Army and achieved the rank of Specialist 2nd. He and the then-Miss Hannum married on August 27, 1955. Mr. Synder is survived by Virginia, his wife of 54 years; their children, Steven, Thomas, Edward, and Martha; and their grandchildren, Jonathan, Katherine, William, Andrew, Matthew, Kara, Adam, and Daniel.