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Thomas Gagnon Obituary
Florence, MA - Thomas H. Gagnon, 81, of Florence, died at home on Sunday, July 6, 2025. He was born May 1, 1944, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton, MA. He was the son of the late Ernest and Margaret (Devlin) Gagnon.
He is predeceased by his brother, Michael J. Gagnon, of Port Orange, FL., and his nephew Mark Gagnon of Northampton. He leaves his sister, Katherine Gagnon of Florence, sister-in-law Cynthia Gagnon of FL, nieces Vicki (Thomas) Novotny of Southampton and her children Paige and Thomas, Jennifer Rumrill (Robert) of Florence, and her children Seth Dearborn, and Alison, Amy, and Anna LaFlamme of North Carolina. He also leaves his nephew, Steven Holloway and his children, Alexandra and Ryann of Whately. Tom was also predeceased by husband, Bruce Callahan.
Tom was a 1962 graduate of Northampton High School and a 1967 graduate of Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts. He worked for three summers for the National Park Service at the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. He returned there as well as Yellowstone National Park for vacations.
He worked for 40 years at the former Pro Corporation injection molding plant in Florence, retiring in April of 2007 as head of shipping and receiving.
He was a long-time member of the Hampshire Bird Club and former President & Vice President - West of the Massachusetts Butterfly Club, leading many field trips for both organizations, some as far as Yellowstone National Park and Southeastern Arizona. He was also a member of the Old English Game Club of America, raising many champion show birds for over 32 years. He spent more than 50 years hawk watching at Goats Peak tower on Mt. Tom State Reservation and conducted a Nighthawk Survey in Northampton for over 50 years, noting the decline of many of the once common species found in the Valley.
At Tom's request, there will be no services. Memorial gifts may be made to the Broad Brook Coalition in Florence, or the Massachusetts Audubon Society in care of Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, Easthampton.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Gagnon
Marcia Merithew
July 16, 2025
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.
Moe O'Connor
July 15, 2025
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.
Morris Lainer
July 13, 2025
Perhaps the best birder to come out of western Mass. I miss our CT Lakes and Quabbin trips. I´ll miss you.
Arlene Avakian
July 12, 2025
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 purple verbenas this year in his honor.
Eileen Rutman
July 11, 2025
I loved birding with tom. He was an excellent teacher. He will be missed!!
Court Cline
July 9, 2025
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.
Anne Lafontaine
July 9, 2025
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.
Charles Horn
July 9, 2025
I first met Tom during my first visit to Goats Peak where he was hawk watching. I later got into Birding myself, and we became good friends. My wife and I would run into him at the YMCA pool where he would toss our son and daughter around in the shallow end. Rita and I kept in good touch with him for the next 53 years. He was a caring, sincere, and honest person - the kind who would call when he knew one of us was going through a hard time. We both will miss him, and we will think of him fondly in the years ahead.
Chuck (and Rita) Horn
July 9, 2025
I first met Tom during my first visit to Goats Peak where he was hawk watching. I later got into Birding myself, and we became good friends. My wife and I would run into him at the YMCA pool where he would toss our son and daughter around in the shallow end. Rita and I kept in good touch with him for the next 53 years. He was a caring, sincere, and honest person - the kind who would call when he knew one of us was going through a hard time. We both will miss him, and we will think of him fondly in the years ahead.
Paul Gosselin
July 9, 2025
Tom started a birding group in the nineties called Birds of a Feather that was the best group I have ever belonged to. Tom was well organized, totally knowledgeable, and a generous teacher. He really was the happiest birder in the world when he led that group.
Patt Popple
July 9, 2025
Kathy, your brother sounded like someone I would've loved to have known. Sorry for your loss
George OLeary
July 9, 2025
My prayers and sympathy to Kathy, Vicki and the entire family, friends and neighbors for more than 50 years in Florence mass George O´Leary Naples, Florida
Gloria A. Santa Anna
July 9, 2025
Tom is a cherished member of the Northampton Community Garden. Tom was one of the first persons to befriend me 21 years ago when I started at community garden.
I cherished each year Tom coming to my garden and sharing his knowledge of butterflies with me. He was so generous, kind and gentle person. I loved Tom, will miss him... yet every time I see a butterfly, my thoughts will be with Tom. Thank you Tom
Larri Cochran
July 9, 2025
Kathy, we'll miss his presence at the Northampton Community Garden. He served on the Garden Committee for many years and led countless bird & butterfly walks. Tom's beautiful plots, always planted with purple Verbena bonariensis & red zinnia, fed butterflies & bees throughout the growing seasons. His plots were also featured in the Forbes Library Garden Tour in 2019.
Donna Start Breen
July 9, 2025
Kathy, May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. May he rest in Peace.
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