Richard Garrett Vail, Esq.

Richard Garrett Vail, longtime resident of Westport and Southbury Connecticut, died on May 31, 2007 in Southbury after a brief illness.

He was born in Orange, NJ August 31, 1934 to Alfred Cresson and Catharine Bonner (Cocks) Vail.

Dick was a passionate believer in justice and equal rights for all. Educated at the Westtown School, Dick graduated cum laude from Princeton University in 1956 after receiving a full academic scholarship. He went on to the University of Virginia Law School, where he earned a law degree in 1959.

Dick spent his career in labor relations in government and in business. He began as an attorney for the National Labor Relations Board in 1959, and then went on to work for Martin Marietta Corp., Philip Morris, and others. His work with Hay Associates allowed him to create his own system for clarifying the skills needed for hiring good workers, and in 1980 he formed his own company, Vail Associates. With his partner Craig Heatley, Vail Associates created the Job Analysis Numerous Use System, and spent the rest of his working life promoting this concept, which brought him joy and fulfillment. In his final years he worked diligently on a book about labor history with literally thousands of citations in the bibliography.

Dick will be remembered by those who knew him for his honesty, his intellect, and his wonderful sense of humor. As a parent to all the children who walked into his home, Dick could be counted on for his straight shooting advice, and his wit. He loved reading and reveled in the life of the mind, taking solace in the works of Charles Bukowsky, who Dick said "made Hunter Thompson look like a Girl Scout," as well as Studs Turkel, Kurt Vonnegut, and John Steinbeck.

A father of four children, Dick is survived by Garrett Walker Vail, of Waldo, Maine, Sara Catharine Vail of Boston, Massachusetts, Alfred Cresson Vail II of Norwalk, Connecticut, and William Ward Vail of Atlanta, Georgia, as well as by daughters in-law Michelle Vail Walker, Karen Elizabeth Vail, and Ginger Higgenbotham Vail. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Sam Sanger Vail, and Eleanor Charleston Vail, as well as by numerous extended family members, loved ones, and friends.

Funeral arrangements are private. A small reception will be held in Dick's honor at the Beach Café© in Fairfield, Connecticut from 3-5pm on June 9, 2007. Memorial contributions can be made to the Save the Children's Foundation, 54 Wilton Rd., Westport, CT 06880. The Southbury Funeral Home of Munson - Lovetere, 235 Main St. North, is in charge of arrangements. To send an online condolence, please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.

Memorials: Memorial contributions can be made to the Save the Children's Foundation, 54 Wilton Rd., Westport, CT 06880.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: Church Not Applicable

Services: Funeral arrangements are private. A small reception will be held in Dick's honor at the Beach Café© in Fairfield, Connecticut from 3-5pm on June 9, 2007.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.