Mystery Classmate 127

Congratulations to Milton Koutavas, Ria Callas Kartsonas, Kimberly Hall, Megan Mahoney, Greg Markantone, Stephanie Papazis Neuschwander, Karen Campbell Ricci, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, Melissa Mahoney Kortyna, Jerry Koutavas, and Amy Chufo Prezelski, all of whom correctly identified Mike Zanic (’82) as Mystery Classmate #127 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

Several classmates shared fond memories of Mike. Milton Koutavas wrote, “Mike has always been a good person and a leader. Our families have had a lot of good times with one another over the years. I will never forget some of those Pitt - Penn State games at the Zanics’ house back in the day or basketball practice with the church.”

Milton’s brother Jerry Koutavas noted that Mike is of Greek descent, and added, “What was great about visiting Mike's family was the opportunity to learn boxing trivia by visiting Mike's neighbor, the notorious saxophonist and boxing trivia guru Lenny Rinchiuso ('85).”

Megan Mahoney remembered that Mike was smart and that he played soccer. Her sister Melissa Mahoney Kortyna added that Mike was “one of the most intelligent people I have known. He was a wonderful friend and scholastic rival (he always won) from first grade at Woodside on up through our high school graduation.”

Ria Callas Kartsonas wrote, “What a stud!”

In case you were wondering, Mike is an attorney with Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP, in Pittsburgh. He has concentrated his practice in the area of complex, commercial litigation with emphasis in insurance coverage litigation, toxic tort-related bankruptcies, and environmental litigation, including representation of the debtors in the largest asbestos and silica-related pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy filed in the United States.

Mike joined Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham in 1989 and became a partner in 1997. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America and was selected by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2004 as a "Fast Tracker," an award that recognizes business professionals under the age of 45 who are making a difference in Pittsburgh and the surrounding community. In 2004 and 2005, Mike was designated as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer® in the field of insurance coverage by Law and Politics magazine.

Leslie Rush Cuda guessed Ken Fetsick. Susan Marchl Young guessed Maneck Kapadia. Andrew “Bearsy” Plack guessed Lloyd Tucker.

Mike Kuzy guessed a Davliakos – but didn’t specify George, John, Connie or Jim. David Kotler guessed Bob Vila. Keith Shipley guessed Steve, Al Bundy's neighbor from Married with Children.

Sharon Dollard Cannella guessed Adam Karsten, and shared a funny story. She wrote, “I didn't know Adam well in school, but I remember going to Europe with him (and you as well). The memory of him that stands out the most took place at a Beer Garden in Germany. Mr. Blangero told us we could each have one "mass" (liter) of beer, and left us alone while he sat at a table with other chaperones. I don't know if you remember, but our parents signed forms saying we were allowed to have one, and only one, beer on the entire trip. In the meantime, Adam drank a second liter and ordered a third. When Mr. Blangero returned to ask Adam if he was drinking a second beer, the waitress brought over his third beer. Adam knew he had been caught and paid the waitress. Then Mr. Blangero took Adam's beer and chugged the whole thing. We were all very impressed!”