DOUGLAS B. GARDNER: Cards Full of
Mad Love
When
Joseph Gardner took his young son, Douglas B. Gardner, to
watch his first Knicks game, Douglas said he wanted to
play basketball in Madison Square Garden. His father told
him he would have to own the team to do that.
So Douglas Gardner, who grew up to be a good athlete,
playing basketball on outdoor courts across the city,
became a businessman. He worked for Lehman Brothers, his
father's real estate business and finally, joined a
college classmate at Cantor Fitzgerald, where he became
executive managing director.
Despite his long hours at work, Mr. Gardner, 39, had
the time to be the core of many groups of friends. He
watched out for his younger sister, Danielle, who he even
invited to Haverford College weekends while she was in
high school. And he would not miss an important event for
his children, Michael, 5, and Julia, 2 1/2. He
taught Michael how to ride a two-wheel bike this summer;
on Sept. 10, he was at the orientation for his children
at nursery school.
For his wife, Jennifer, he marked every important date
with cards -- often five or six for each occasion. The
cards came with long personal notes and always included,
"I love you madly!!!"
.
