Thomas C. Laine ’45

Tom died Feb. 12, 2018.

Tom grew up in Loudonville, N.Y., and attended Phillips Exeter Academy. At Princeton he was in Theatre Intime and a member of Elm Club. He majored in physics and graduated in two years because of the war. He enlisted in the Navy and served as a lieutenant on the USS LSM-17 in the Pacific.

After the war he moved to Los Angeles and married Merle Mayer. He went to work for the family business, RA Mayer Co., Feed Brokerage, where he rose to president. Tom and Merle had three sons, and Merle’s mother lived with them as well.

He enjoyed sailboat racing at the Bel Air Bay Club, and rode with Rancheros Visitadores. His horse lived in the backyard. He learned to ride English, jumping and fox hunting. He rebuilt engines in his garage. After retiring he reinvented himself as an avocado farmer.

After Merle died in 1980 he met Cameron Kennedy, and they subsequently married. She brought her two new children into the fold and the two families blended beautifully. He and Camie traveled the world, including sailing from England, through the canals of France, circumnavigating the Mediterranean, across the Atlantic, and all through the Caribbean.

Tom is survived by his wife; sons Tom, Mike, and Alex; his stepson David and his wife, Karen; stepdaughter Laurie; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.