Andrew was our first Nephew on the Solander side. I will always remember when Dale and I were vacationing in NY. We contacted Andrew to see if we could meet him for dinner. He took the time out of his schedule to meet us. We had a wonderful time! I said "Wow, what a great kid." You will always have a special place in our hearts. Love Auntie Dorothy

There’s no way to summarize my love for Andrew, the beauty of his being, and the specialness of our friendship in a few short paragraphs. Andrew and I met as next door neighbors in the Rich Hall dorms at Boston University our freshman year. We couldn’t have asked for a more quintessential introduction to college – everyone on our floor, which we affectionately dubbed Floor Flive, bonded that year, forming the foundation for the rest of our college experience and lifelong friendships. We all had so much fun simply hanging out and cracking up for hours on end, getting to know each other, eating late night food from the dining hall and just being silly together. Andrew and Dan could be found air bending and sumo wrestling in the common area, while Rachel’s and my room became the floor’s communal living room, aka Mermania.

Andrew and I clicked with a special bond that never left us. He was like a brother to me. Soon enough we were rough housing like siblings in the dorms. In the most lighthearted way, we would make fun of each other and he could make me laugh so hard just by being himself. That was a connection I didn’t have with anyone else. I think the purest joys come in the simplest forms but they can be hard to find. Andrew shared that gift with me in the way we would giggle and I will always be so grateful to him for that pure joy and love.

On the other side of that playfulness was a super intelligent, sensitive, compassionate and deeply caring person, artist and friend. Andrew always had a way of pulling someone aside for a thoughtful conversation. I’ve never forgotten the countless talks we shared because they always made me think more profoundly and critically about art, politics, and humanity. They were the types of conversations that would linger in my mind for days as they expanded my way of thinking. Andrew introduced me to a lot of great music and sometimes we would run away to his dorm room to show each other different artists we liked. One time, we watched the Daniel Johnston documentary and then went to see him play in Boston and got matching concert tees.

Five years ago, Andrew came to visit me in Hawaii and I’m so thankful we had that time together. He was so sweet and patient as I drove him around to the different spots I had grown up in. I always hoped I could return the gesture by taking a trip to Medfield with him. He loved snorkeling and exploring Oahu’s beaches and, being the true East Coaster he was, he thought I was absolutely ridiculous for thinking the Pacific waters were too cold to swim in during his January trip. I’m so grateful my family got to know him better during that trip as well. Not surprisingly, they loved him too.

I have so much respect for the beautiful person Andrew was. It was a gift to see the artist in him, always creating in many forms, often seen with his sketchbook in hand. His sculptures are amazing. I’m so proud of him for the video games he launched and the community he built around his passions. I always loved to see what a loving partner he was and how sweetly and highly he spoke of his family. I love you forever, Andrew. I promise I’ll never forget you and I’ll keep our love and laughter and memories going in your honor.

My deepest condolences to the entire Thomas family and to Kayla. Andrew often shared with me how much he loved you all. 

2006/2007

Happy HS Graduates — with Rachel Thomas and Andrew Thomas

HS Graduation Cake

Me and Andrew, Amsterdam.

Diane, Paul, Jamie, Chris, Michelle, Jenni and the entire Thomas family,

I want to extend my deepest condolences for your loss. I am so sorry that you have to go through this. Words feel inadequate to shape the feelings roaring in and around my heart, mind and body for the past few days.

I met Andrew around 5th grade. We have been close friends ever since. Throughout his whole life he had a smile on his face and a pencil nearby. I was in awe of his creative drawing skills in 5th grade. I realize now that he was the most pure artist I have know, creating for the sake of creation. He was curious, gentle and inspiring as person. A pure force who unceasingly questioned assumptions while striving to make an impact. I had nothing but unconditional love for him.

This sounds formal– he was my boy. He was my sweet and loving friend. He was hilarious. He was absurd. He was serious and thoughtful. We spent elementary, middle and high school together. Filming movies, going to concerts, sleepovers, walks in the woods, art classes and swim team. College breaks and my years in New York together. I worked alongside him at Shapeways. I saw him every week for football games. We filled each other in on our deepest ambitions and hopes up until last week. We discussed our lives, our relationships. Argued about the meaning of art and the confounding strangeness of being alive. Our love language was stupid jokes, absurdism, brotherly love and football. He had a rare superpower. He actually listened to you. Andrew was the embodiment of that inexplainable feeling when you start something new. He was a funnel into which the universe poured and I loved being on the other side to hear his take.

Reading all the memories on this page has been eye opening but not surprising. Seeing the vast web of lives touched by Andrew is clear validation that Andrew was special. Fearless and unable to not be himself. These words feel small. He was larger than his body, energy radiating out in all directions.

I keep feeling him with me. In the clouds, the grass, the wind on the water in the lake. The last time I saw Andrew was when he visited me and Georgi in Amsterdam. We rode a ferris wheel at night. Lights flashing, children laughed all around us hundreds of feet in the air above the city center. I looked at him and we smiled and I felt at home. I miss him so much but Andrew will always be with me.

Love,
Jack

I am shocked and saddened to hear of Andrew’s passing. We were both interns at the Carving Studio and Sculpture center in 2011, where we cemented a friendship. While there, I helped him film a project in the quarries, where he had me rolling tires around the rocky landscape. When I would ask him what he wanted me to do, he would say that it was up to me. And I would say, “It’s your project, man!” Then we would argue about it in a friendly way. But Andrew loved collaboration, and for him, my involvement and un-scripted choices were part of the art. It yielded an amazing film as a result. He set up a laptop looping the video at the bottom of a stack of tires, such that you had to stick your face in the top tire to see it. The smell of rubber and the tunnel of tires played beautifully with the film. Ever since, I’ve been sending him photos of trashy tires in the landscape whenever I encounter them.

After CSSC, Andrew and I kept in touch. I’d always try to visit him when I was in NYC, and he visited me several times in VT. In fact, he was supposed to come stay with me on May 22nd as a stop on his “scooter tour”, but covid intervened. I’m so sad to miss that opportunity. He was such a warm, gregarious, beautiful soul. He was nutty at times, and we could drive each other crazy, but we had much mutual respect. And I like to think we learned from each other in those formative years at CSSC.

My condolences to his family, friends, and partner - words can’t express such an inexplicable loss. Love to all. 

Andrew was a Carving Studio and Sculpture Center Resident Intern in 2011 and returned to develop stone carving projects in 2019 and 2021. The multitalented emerging artist brought his unique vision and skill to work in both new and traditional media. His cheerful and friendly presence will be deeply missed.

Andrew drawing while a CSSC Resident Intern.

Rick Rothrock gives Andrew tips on finishing his Champlain Black stone font.

Andrew discussing the kinetic aspect of his sculpture with Studio Manager Tom Kearns.

Resident Intern - portrait — with Andrew and Resident artists

I would like to extend our sincere condolences to your family, friends, and loved ones on behalf of Kayla's family.  Andrew was such an amazing, kind and generous person.   Our entire family thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him and spending time with him.  I'm so sorry for your great loss and please know that our thoughts and prayers have been with you and continue to be with you, through this unimaginable time.  

Diane, Paul, Jamie, Chris, Michelle, & Jenni, 

Our hearts are with you. We are so sorry for the loss of Andrew. It feels unbelievable to me that I am even writing this.  As a former Causeway mom I remember so many times that our children were back and forth to each other's houses. Flashlight tag, adventures in the woods, snow days, video games and pizza nights to mention a few. My memory of him will always be that of a respectful and intelligent young man who was more often than not the voice of reason in the group and had so much to offer the world. Our hope is that the pain of his loss can somehow be softened by the joy of his life as time goes on. 

Much love,

Cyndi, Sarah, Bobby & Kate

To all who loved Andrew, I’m so sorry for your devastating loss. I was at CFA with Andrew in sculpture. I have so many memories of him, but when I think of him I immediately think of what a good man he was. Every memory is filled with goodness. I always liked when he was around. He was good and kind and helpful. 

I’m so glad I knew him. And I’m so glad to see what a wonderful life and impact he left. And I’m so sorry his time here wasn’t long enough.

I will always remember Andrew in black jeans and a plaster covered t shirt. Hands and arms filthy from making art, curly hair sticking out, laughing from across the studio.

Wishing you all peace.

Best, 

Ruthie Barry 

Being on the younger side of the Thomas clan, I was not always part of the older cousin crowd but Andrew was always welcoming. As I grew, he continued to be inclusive and would always call me out when I was being a punk. Andrew wanted me to grow into a good person. He was always there when I needed support, reaching out after I lost a friend in college and visiting me in the hospital after my surgery. Even to last year when he came up for a vacation, he stopped by Night Shift brewery and then came by my house to make time for my birthday. I went back to that brewery this past weekend and it just was not the same. I know I have not always made the best decisions but I just hope I am growing in a way that will make Andrew proud. I will always miss you Andrew!

I wish my deepest condolences to the Thomas family and Andrew's loved ones.

Andrew and I grew up in the Orchard/Causeway St crew of kids. We spent countless afternoons and evenings playing together with other neighborhood kids on bikes, in the woods, watching movies, playing flashlight tag, and anything else we could get our hands dirty doing. He was always a fun, active, and happy child who accepted everyone with open arms. In high school, we shared the same circle of friends and went to the Christmas Dance and Prom together during Andrew's junior year. His friends and I watched his football games each week and cheered him on from the stands. Andrew dabbled in many groups in high school, building himself friendships along the way with a variety of people. When Andrew was at BU, I was just down the street at Emmanuel College and we saw each other frequently throughout those years in Boston.  After studying in Venice, Andrew gave me a lot of advice about traveling in Italy when I did my own trip about a year later. After graduation, Andrew and I rented a U-Haul and drove together to our new lives in Brooklyn, NY. We shared so many nights out, Patriots Sundays, board game nights, brunches, new job celebrations, and the typical struggles of your early 20s. All the while, Andrew remained a supportive friend, a creative force, and most importantly to me...a friendly face from home. Although we lost touch in the last several years, his life made such a joyful impact on mine that I deeply regret not picking up the phone more often. Instead I'll have to settle for the memory of the athlete, artist, musician, philosopher, and amazing friend that he was.