Thomas Gagnon

I learned so much from Tom about birds, butterflies and flowers. Our garden plot was close to his and he liked to tease me about growing vegetables instead of flowers. He was generous about showing me special butterflies that he found in the gardens. I´ll miss him in August watching for nighthawks and in the fall hawk watching on Goat Peak. He was one of a kind.

Tom was a good friend. We did 35 years of bird and butterfly fieldtrips, Northeast Poultry shows, Friday evening potlucks in Northampton, and many other events. I believe that Tom and Bruce also produced the Venture Out monthly newsletter for many years. He was good company, and always knowledgeable about natural history. I'll miss him. My condolences to his family.

Perhaps the best birder to come out of western Mass. I miss our CT Lakes and Quabbin trips. I´ll miss you.

Fifteen years ago my spouse Martha and I shared a 4 plot garden close to two of Tom's plots. He immediately gave us a warm welcome, and seeing Tom was one if the perks of going to the garden. Then we served on the garden committee together for a number of years. He was warm, sweet, funny. And could also be ascorbic which warmed my New Yorker heart. The garden will never be the same for me without Tom. Thank you to the person who posted that wonderful picture of him. I planted some...

I loved birding with tom. He was an excellent teacher. He will be missed!!

I knew Tom through his time in Venture Out, an LGBT hiking and camping group in the Northampton area. I learned so much from him about the natural world and enjoyed our hikes in the Quabbin and up on Goats Peak. My heart goes out to all who knew and loved him.

Tom has always been a kind and gentle person and so willing to share his passion for birds, butterflies, and flowers. Our visits were infrequent over the years but enjoyable. He'll be missed but remembered especially when I see a butterfly I don't recognize and think 'Tom would know what it is!" My condolences to his family, you have lost a very special person.