Date: 7/10/25 6:42 pm From: Geoff LeBaron <geofflebaron...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] sad news - Tom Gagnon
Thanks, Barbara, for posting about Tom's passing.
Tom was never one who wanted to be celebrated for his own amazing knowledge
or accomplishments..he just wanted to be.included as a friend in the
birding, butterflying, and conservation communities.
I've "only" known Tom for the past 40 years when I've been back here in
Western Massachusetts as director of the Christmas Bird Count for National
Audubon. While I wasn't an employee of "The" Audubon here in
Massachusetts, he was still willing to talk to me!
Tom was an Icon here in Western Mass even when I came back in the
late 1980s. His accomplishments within the birding and hawk watching
community were legendary...and in recent decades his contributions in the
butterflying community were overarching. I remember checking in with him,
as "the" director of the CBC for Audubon, about things raptorial. He was
always available and accurate. When the first documented nesting of
Merlins in the state happened here in Florence, MA, back in July 2009, Tom
was the first one called about the noisy birds in someone's yard. He
initially scoffed them off as "of course" Cooper's Hawks, but with his
visit they were quickly confirmed ... with joy ... as Merlins.
Tom's stints at the hawk watches and his nighthawk watches locally are
legendary. But my best, most recent birding expedition with Tom was to
check out the incredible adult Brown Booby that was out at Onota Lake in
western Mass back in August 2018. However, what I will miss most is every
spring checking in about his local whip-poor wills or getting a call from
Tom asking if we can go check his favorite marsh here on the
Williamsburg/Chesterfield town line for migrating Olive-sided Flycatchers.
He knew they'd be there...or maybe they knew he'd come looking.
You're in flight now with the butterflies and birds in migration, Tom.
Enjoy the travels!
Geoff
Williamsburg, MA
On Thu, Jul 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM Linda Ferraresso <tattler1...>
wrote:
> Tom was a special kind of friend - always ready to provide details to
> finding a bird or birding location, and then meeting you there to help on
> the pursuit. He was funny and fun - while birding or just chatting on
> the phone - always made me laugh. Along with other accolades mentioned,
> Tom was a life member of the Brookline Bird club and he cherished the
> personal handwritten note he received from the club Membership secretary
> upon becoming a life member. As well, he led a hawk watch for the club
> for decades at Mt Tom instilling interest and enthusiasm for raptors to
> many. Soar on Eagles's wings, Tom.
>
> Linda
>
> --
> Linda Ferraresso
> Salem, MA
> tattler1(at)comcast(dot)net
>
> "Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark" - Tagore
>
>
>
> On 7/9/2025 5:08 PM, Barbara Volkle wrote:
>
> On July 6, 2025, western Massachusetts birder and butterflier Tom Gagnon
> passed away:
>
>
> https://tributearchive.com/obituaries/43292521/thomas-gagnon/northampton/massachusetts/czelusniak-funeral-home >
> Tom was a wonderful naturalist, well versed in birds, butterflies and
> plants. He loved nothing better than a walk outdoors or time in the
> greenhouse. He loved to tell you of the latest bear or bobcat visit to his
> yard.
>
> He was a long-time member of the Hampshire Bird Club. He lead field trips
> and participated in many Christmas Bird Counts, hawk watches, and nighthawk
> counts over the years.
>
> He was a leading force in the Massachusetts Butterfly Club, organizing and
> leading trips, and overseeing printing of field cards and producing of tee
> shirts and hats. He participated in 4th of July Butterfly Counts each
> year.
>
> For many years, his garden plots were the center of butterfly activity in
> the Northampton Community Garden, where his verbena's purple stand was a
> beacon for butterflies.
>
> More than this, Tom loved to share his knowledge, to meet and greet his
> friends in the field.
>
> Those of us who knew him will miss him terribly. Godspeed, good friend!
>
> Barbara Volkle
> Northborough, MA
> <barb620...>
>
>
>
