Class News

Son of Stan Thomas ’64 gets married

September 30, 2021

Twenty-six years after his father Stanley B. Thomas, Jr. died, his son Chip (Stanley B. Thomas, III) wed Shannon Adducci on a mountaintop in Tannersville, NY at the Deer Mountain Inn. The ceremony was officiated by Tony Lavely ’64, our Class Secretary and Chip’s godfather. Evoking Yale roommates, teammates, fraternity brothers, and friends, Tony (whose father was a “real” minister) reminded the Thomas and Adducci families how beloved Stan was at Yale. Well-wishes were sent by Rich Niglio, Dick Berk, Pat Caviness, Dan Pollack, Joe Wishcamper, Jim Heyworth, and Jay Huffard. Here’s a selection from Tony’s homily.

For those of you whom I haven’t met, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Anthony Magee Lavely, “Tony” to most and “Topo” to my grandchildren. I am today’s officiant and master of ceremonies.

Let me hasten to say that I am not an ordained minister as was my father and six generations before him. My credentials are otherwise. I have been a part of the Thomas family since 1960 (61 years ago) when I met Chip’s father, Stanley Buddington Thomas, Jr., who was my Yale roommate and teammate. Through Stan, I met Chip’s grandparents and had many a pancake breakfast at their place in the Bronx.

Later, I would have the pleasure of meeting Chip’s mother, Elizabeth. She and Stan attended my wedding in 1973, which my father officiated. I’m using portions of that service today, drawn from this Order of Marriage handbook that my father used for 63 years.

Later still, in 2009 I met Shannon on Captiva Island, Florida, and have followed their relationship ever since with many visits to Brooklyn.

Stan and Muffin, 1973

Rehearsal

Chip and Shannon, rehearsal dinner

At the altar

Chip, Tony, and Shannon

Chip's ring