Patrick Chassé Jr.
Patrick Chassé Jr.
(1947 - 2025)
At their request there will be no services.
We are saddened to announce the passing of Patrick Chassé Jr.
Patrick Chassé, Jr, 78, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine after a multi-decade heroic battle with cancer.
Patrick was born on March 4, 1947, to the late Patrick and Violet (Bonneville) Chassé in Caribou, Maine.
A landscape architect, historian, educator, ecologist and writer, Patrick’s passion for landscape design began in childhood and was nurtured throughout a lifetime devoted to exploring the intersection of science and art. He earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Maine at Orono, a Master of Education in environmental education and botany from the University of Maine, and a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. A printmaker, ceramicist and photographer, Patrick studied glassblowing (with Dale Chihuly) and precious metal fabrication at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts.
Specializing in historic landscape restoration and preservation, the reconstruction of natural plant communities and the design of new gardens, Patrick completed more than 200 projects worldwide. Within the United States these can be found throughout New England and in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Missouri. Outside of the United States, Patrick completed projects in The Bahamas, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Throughout his career, Patrick was closely identified with Mount Desert Island, Maine where he completed more than 140 projects. Here, he led the effort to purchase and preserve Garland Farm, the last home and garden of landscape architect Beatrix Farrand, cofounded the Beatrix Farrand Society and was instrumental in renovating the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden in Seal Harbor.
A beloved educator, Patrick taught Japanese and Chinese garden history, design and plant ecology at the Radcliffe Landscape Institute, Arnold Arboretum, and Graduate School of Design at Harvard University, the College of the Atlantic, Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Sheffield University (UK). He lectured widely throughout the US, Canada and Europe at garden clubs, botanical gardens, arboreta and museums.
In 2004, Patrick was appointed the first curator of landscape at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, MA where he inaugurated the landscape lecture series.
He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award for the restoration of the Benenson Ornamental Conifer Collection at the New York Botanical Garden; the first lifetime landscape design award from the New England Wildflower Society for his utilization of native plants; the Garden Club of America Lifetime Achievement Award; and a Silver Medal from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for noteworthy service to horticulture.
Endlessly curious and creative, Patrick was widely published. His works were featured in House & Garden, Architectural Design, Garden Design, Gardens Illustrated, House Beautiful, Town & Country, Horticulture, Down East Magazine, Breaking Ground: Garden Design Solutions from Ten Contemporary Masters, The New Garden Paradise and Designing the Maine Landscape.
Besides his parents, Patrick was predeceased by his two sisters, Victoria Chassé and Pauline Pelletier. Patrick is survived by many dear nieces and nephews, several precious cousins, two adored godchildren, countless cherished friends, treasured academic and work colleagues and numerous generous patrons of his works.
Per Patrick’s desires, there will be no funeral services. At a later date, his ashes will be scattered into the coastal waters off of his beloved Mount Desert Island.
Patrick has asked that anyone desiring to make donations to charity in his name to please do so to either Dumbarton Oaks (1703 32nd Street NW, Washington, DC, 20007) or the Maine Historical Society (489 Congress Street, Portland, Maine, 04101).
Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Road in Casco, ME. www.hallfuneralhome.net
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The obituary is reprinted from https://www.hallfuneralhome.net/obituaries/Patrick-Chass-Jr?obId=38892038#/obituaryInfo
Additional Resources:
A blog by Nancy Noble, Archivist/Cataloger, Maine Historical Society
Maine Architecture and Landscape Design database, which includes drawings by Patrick.
