Alexander Thomas

Alexander (Alex) Thomas passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side on December 21, 2025 at the age of 95. Alex was born in Neustadt, Germany on April 3, 1930, son of Wilhelm and Alexandra Thomas. While Alex spent most of his youth in Germany, he also lived in Tunis during the time his father served as the Consul General. He later met the love of his life, Ruth, in Berlin where the couple would begin their 72-year long marriage. After several years together, they would go on to realize Alex's boyhood dream of coming to New York City, settling in Forest Hills. Though they spoke some proper classroom English, they picked up New York English by watching American TV and making new friends. While Ruth found a job as a fashion model, Alex worked a back-office job on Wall Street and attended night school studying finance and accounting. He later would become a partner at Burnham and Company and lead the International Arbitrage Trading Department and serve on the Board of Directors at Drexel Burnham Lambert, where he was good humoredly known as "Mr. T". Together, the couple raised their two daughters in New Rochelle and Scarsdale. They later moved to the Westchester Country Club in Rye, NY and spent winters in Palm Beach, Florida surrounded by friends.
Alex's greatest joy in life was, by far, his family – but he had many interests as well. He loved animals, found peace on the water boating, enjoyed keeping up with the newest car models, followed the stock market, and constantly played the jazz and big band music he cherished throughout the house. He also embraced every new wave of technology and was always among the first to have the latest gadgets, from the early Walkman to the iPod. More than anything, he will be remembered for his patience, kindness, sharp sense of humor, and the gracious way he carried himself as a true gentleman.
Alex is survived by his two daughters, Gloria (Grant) Stoddart and Monica (Jerry) Knorr; two grandsons, Eric and Alex Knorr; and three step-grandchildren, Sarah Dietsch, Caroline Farina and Michael Stoddart. He was predeceased by his adoring wife, Ruth; sister, Elfriede Thomas; and brother, Mario Thomas. The family wishes to thank the wonderful health care aides for their love and compassion.
His final resting place will be at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye, New York. There will be a private ceremony at a later date for immediate family. Contributions in his honor may be made to Willow's Wings Animal Sanctuary, Inc., P.O. Box 217, Maine, NY 13802.