Thomas Francis Stanley

Thomas Francis Stanley, age 73 years, of Frenchtown, NJ, died on Monday, May 24, 2021, at Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

Thomas was born in Newark, NJ, on March 28, 1948, to Irma Schad and Joseph Stanley. Sadly, Thomas was given up to the foster care system by his parents when he was just a young boy. He was encouraged to take up the trumpet by one of his first foster mothers and excelled. His musical talents caught the attention of Giuseppe “Joe” D’Onofrio, who became known to Tom simply as Uncle Joe. Tom’s uncle Joe placed Tom in a good home where Tom was well cared for and acted as a father figure for Tom for the rest of his childhood.

In August of 1966, Thomas graduated from Livingston High School with the expectation he would go to law school. However, much to his Uncle Joe’s disappointment, Thomas, being the free spirit he was, decided to head to California to pursue art.

From 1968-1969, Thomas attended the College of Marin in Kentfield, CA. One day, by chance, Thomas happened upon an artist known as DEBO in Sausalito, CA. Thomas fell in love with his work and decided to leave college and become an apprentice to DEBO from 1969-1972.

In 1972, having learned all he could from DEBO, Thomas asked, “What now?” DEBO sent Thomas to New York. From 1972-1975, Thomas was a full-time professional fine artist in oil painting, taking on the pseudonym Marcius.

In 1975 Thomas graduated from the Wilfred Academy School of Beauty Culture in Succasunna, NJ. Under the supervision of Judith Brown, he received his Cosmetology and Manicuring license from the New Jersey Board of Beauty and Culture in December of 1976.

While learning cosmetology, Thomas also began studying the ancient Chinese Art of Tai-Chi Chaun under Master William C.C. Chen. He was officially accredited and later became an instructor of Tai Chi at the Bucks County Community College and Hunterdon County YMCA.

In 1975-1984 he owned and operated a successful upscale cutting salon in New Hope, PA, while also pursuing his art. In 1985 he sold the salon to pursue his true passion in life – art.

From 1982-2008, Thomas established his fine woodworking shop producing high-end custom handcrafted picture frames in the tradition of Bucks County impressionism. His customer base consisted of art galleries, art dealers, private collectors, and professional artists. For those 25 years, Thomas produced hundreds of frames found in the most important collections in the region, including the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, PA.

In 2015 Thomas became deathly ill with cirrhosis of the liver. Thomas was a true fighter when he thought the fight could be won. Through medication initially, taking up the art of Tai Chi once again, and reestablishing a healthy diet, Thomas was able to recover. The experience gave Thomas a greater appreciation for life.

While those are all of the official accomplishments of Thomas Stanley’s life, there are so many little things that made up his life. Thomas loved crossword puzzles and kept the window seat warm in what was formerly known as Maria’s. He loved walking through Frenchtown to the towpath that hugs the river or riding his bike, always with headphones and his Walkman. Thomas loved music and enjoyed NPR, especially when they played jazz. He loved nature and drew strength and peace from it, often commenting on the simple yet spectacular things he noticed on his walks or rides.

Thomas was a man filled with gratitude, even for the dark moments in life and the obstacles we all face. He was also a good friend, a cherished friend.

But most of all, Thomas was an artist with an artist’s soul until his last breath. In the words of Thomas, aka Marcius, “An artist is a voyager into the mysterious reaches of chance, attempting to present to us the beauty and harmony that exists beyond the senses.”

Arrangements are private under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Tom’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”