Wesley Morse Gardiner

On February, 21, 2021, Wesley Morse Gardiner passed away surrounded by family at his home in Palo Alto, California. Born April 8, 1928 in Rhode Island, he attended Storm King School in New York and entered Harvard University at the age of 16. Wes stopped out to enlist in the army. He returned to Harvard graduating in 1950 with a degree in History after which he fulfilled his ROTC commitment.

Back in civilian life, a college friend suggested looking at Stanford Business School. An informal interview with the dean led to his joining the class of 1954. At Stanford he fell for undergraduate Dianne Catlin from Boston. They married on August 20,1955 in Brookline, Massachusetts. Despite strong New England roots, the San Francisco Bay Area became their home.

Wes joined Macy’s of California as a men’s furnishings buyer and was later asked to help establish “The Cellar” as their international buyer of wines, liquors, and gourmet foods. Among others, he launched the career of Famous Amos who often left samples at the Gardiner Family home. After 26 years with Macy’s, Wes left to build several necktie brands, including a collaboration with Charles Schultz to design a line of Snoopy and Woodstock ties. His knowledge of wines led to a sideline as a consultant in the burgeoning California wine industry.

Widely recognized as a gracious and enthusiastic host, Wes could be relied upon for legendary Mai Tais, Cottage Cheese Pancakes, and Spaghetti with Clam

Sauce. He and Dianne especially loved travel with family and friends. Skiing, hiking, summers in Cohasset, Massachusetts, Rotary, school, and Foothills Tennis & Swim Club events: the Gardiner household was busy, fun, and hectic.

Wes is survived by his wife Dianne; children Pamela (Peter) Wellin, Wesley Jr. (Jennifer) Gardiner, Andrew Gardiner (Allison Coleman), Suzanne (Edward) Bryan, Sarah (Howard) Farr; brother George (Joan) Gardiner; 12 grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and countless good friends. He was predeceased by his brother Chandler Gardiner.

The family thanks care givers and Mission Hospice for their love and support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Wes’s memory to Storm King School (www.sks.org), Yosemite National Park (https://yosemite.org/giving/gifts-in-memory-honor/), or a charity of one’s choice. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Further, the Gardiner family wishes to extend their condolences to The Creamery, Peet’s Coffee, Books Ink, Dunkin’ Donuts, See’s Candies, and Mike’s Café for their loss.