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In Memoriam
Thomas A. Beauchesne

Greenhouse Superintendent
at the University of Massachusetts
in Amherst for more than 35 years

Died August 25, 2005 at age 52

Thomas A. Beauchesne, 52, of New Salem, Greenhouse Superintendent for the Department of Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences, died unexpectedly on Aug. 24 at Athol Memorial Hospital.

Born in Turners Falls, he graduated from Smith Vocational Agricultural High School in Northampton in 1971. He had been a longtime resident of Montague prior to relocating to New Salem in 2003.

He was the owner of Little Creek Farm in New Salem MA, and was a former member of the Massachusetts National Guard.

Tom joined the UMass Amherst staff in May 1970, and was an active employee at the time of his death. He was an invaluable member of the PSIS Department and the campus community. He was a goodwill ambassador for all of the programs he was involved with, and a good friend to all. He proudly provided flowers for Department, College, and campus special events, and especially for the Stockbridge School graduation. In addition to being Greenhouse Superintendent, he assisted with Department and Stockbridge School classes, and was an Instructor for a greenhouse class of his own. He was a born teacher, and his interactions with students gave him the most pleasure. He was also Advisor of the Horticulture Club at Umass Amherst for 8 years. Tom traveled with club members to local horticultural operations, Longwood Gardens, the Philadelphia Flower Show, and memorable weekend trips to the UMass Outing Club's cabin. He and his greenhouse crew also assisted Stockbridge School seniors with presentations at the annual Horticultural Society Flower Show in Boston.

Tom will be remembered for his smile, humor, integrity, loyalty, work ethic, and, above all, his steadfast commitment to his coworkers and students. He was a sterling individual who will be missed by all in the Department, and by everyone else who knew him on and off campus.

He leaves his wife of 32 years, the former Jacqueline “Jackie” I. Lanthier; two sons, Jamie T. of Montague and Jesse O. of Dallas, Texas; three brothers, two sisters, and several nieces and nephews.

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