Veteran New Jersey-based trainer Donald B. Queen, 62, who resided in Hightstown, NJ, with his longtime companion, Kim, passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in Hamilton, NJ

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Queen, a native of St. John, New Brunswick, had worked for a number of top stables, including for fellow Maritimer Jim Doherty and also for the Ray and Larry Remmen Stable. Most recently, Queen was overseeing the care of a handful of his own horses at Gaitway Farms and assisting the Julie and Andy Miller Stable.

“He was in the barn next to us and offered to help us do some work,” Andy Miller told harnessracing.com. “He’d come in every day and jog three or four for us; he’d do what we needed him to do. He was a very good horseman.”

It was while working for the Remmen brothers that he helped condition 1990 Horse of the Year Beach Towel.

“He worked for us years ago for about eight to 10 years,” Larry Remmen told harnessracing.com. “He was with us during the glory years we had. He was there for us for Beach Towel; it seemed he always had a couple good horses.”

According to New Brunswick sources, Queen, who was born December 31, 1948, was the son of the late C. Bertram "Bert" Queen and Mildred E. (Howe) Queen. He is survived by a brother, Gordon Douglas and his wife Ruth of Saint John, and three sisters Dorothy Stevens of Saint John (who is a Standardbred Canada Field Rep.), Jeanne (Mrs. Peter Gray) of Young's Cove, and Mary Queen of Saint John, five nieces & nephews Paul and Terri & Lori Stevens, Alyson Queen, and Belinda Gray.

Please join SC in offering condolences to the family and friends of Donald Queen.

(SBOANJ)