Thomas Robert Gaines II, 1947-2010

The following obituary has been written by Arthur Gaines, brother of the late Thomas R. Gaines II.

Thomas R. Gaines II, of Douglaston, New York, died on November 15, 2010 at North Shore Hospital following a lengthy illness.  He was 63 years old. 

Known among friends as "Landscape Architect to the Gold Coast Estates of Long Island", Mr. Gaines was born into the fourth generation of a New York family.  In 1974, he began working with the prestigious Panfield Nurseries in Huntington, L.I., which specialized in landscaping using native plant species. 

While at Panfield, where he remained for 24 years, Gaines was awarded the W.R. Coe Trophy for Best in Show in All Classes for five consecutive years at the Fall Flower Show, celebrating horticultural design.  During his tenure at Panfield, Gaines' projects included work on some of the largest remaining estates on the North Shore of Long Island, such as the Whitney Estate in Manhasset where he designed the Rhododendron Park in Old Westbury for Howard Phipps.

During this time he designed the Memorial Garden at Christ Church, Manhasset, for Linda Whitney Payson Durellei.  His works also included numerous landscape projects at Old Westbury and King's Point, one of which was completed at the Buckley Country Day School. 

Thomas Gaines lived in Douglaston all his life and is beloved by many neighbors for whom he designed landscape settings for their homes.  He attended New York City schools, beginning with PS 98 in Douglaston before receiving the associate in applied sciences degree from SUNY Farmingdale in Agriculture and Technology in 1967. 

In 1971, he received his bachelor's of science degree and bachelor's of landscape architecture from Syracuse University's College of Environmental Science and College of Forestry.  His career in landscape management and design began as a student when he worked for Larry Borger Trees & Gardens during summers from 1964 through 1970.  After graduation he was employed by Webster Shrubs & Trees Experts (1971-73) in New Rochelle, New York.

Mr. Gaines' community projects included a comprehensive survey of trees in Douglas Manor for the Douglaston and Little Neck Historical Society, a Flushing Historic Cemetery Tree Inventory that appeared in the historical society's Centennial Book, and authorship of the tree section for the Douglas Manor Association's centennial book, "This Salubrious Spot", which includes a walking tour map of 19th century trees.

Gaines was a charter member in 1972 of Udall's Cove Preservation Committee and remained a member of the Board until his death. The Cove, an estuarine and wetland natural area bordering Little Neck Bay, continues to be threatened by commercial development. Gaines was also a member of the board of the Bayside Historical Society and participated in the Douglaston and Little Neck Historical Society, the Queens Historical Society, the Queens Botanical Garden and the North Shore Audubon Society.

Aside from his mastery of horticulture and landscaping, he was known for his wry humor, commitment to community service, and patience in the face of frustration. He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur G. Gaines and Edith Eicks Gaines of Douglaston, and is survived by two sisters, Edith E. Gaines of Hartwell, Georgia, and Ruth Gaines Hepner of Derwood Maryland, a brother, Dr. Arthur G. Gaines, Jr. of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, two nephews, William Robert Watkins, Jr. and Michael Gaines Watkins of Maryland, and two nieces, Sarah 'M. Gaines-Mohr of Paris, France, and Hannah R. Gaines of Madison, Wisconsin.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Community Church of Douglaston in the near future. In lieu of flowers charitable contributions may be sent to Udall's Cove Preservation Committee, 251-31 42nd Avenue, Little Neck, NY 11363.