Whereas, Stiles and Lillian Thomas, fondly thought of as Mr. and Mrs. Allendale, will be moving out of the Borough; and...

Whereas, Stiles was born in Allendale on Christmas Day in 1923 and has been a life-long resident of this community; and

Whereas, Lillian was born on August 15, 1924 and has lived in Allendale since 1946; and

Whereas, Stiles joined the Army in November 1942 at just 18 years of age where he served as a
Paratrooper and reached the rank of 1 st Sergeant; and

Whereas, Lillian and Stiles were high school sweethearts, and upon Stiles’ honorable discharge from theArmy, they were married in 1946; and

Whereas, Stiles and Lillian raised three daughters together, Georgie, Betsy, and Judy, and have many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and

Whereas, both Stiles and Lillian have been active in the community, with Lillian having served the Borough as its Welfare Director and as a member of the Board of Adjustment and Stiles serving as an Allendale insurance broker for many years and as the Borough’s first Marsh Warden, a position that he held for 27 years; and

Whereas, both Stiles and Lillian have been dedicated to protecting the environment, both having been instrumental in working to create and maintain the 107-acre Celery Farm Natural Area; and

Whereas, Stiles has been a staunch advocate for preserving nature, and in addition to his stewardship at the Celery Farm, he has introduced dozens of people to the joys of birding, championing the Red-shouldered Hawks of Allendale and putting up dozens of bluebird and barn owl boxes all over Bergen County to provide homes for at-risk species; and

Whereas, Lillian was the catalyst for preserving 20 acres of environmentally sensitive wetlands, an area that was renamed in her honor as the Lillian Thomas Natural Area and remains a beautiful and protected sanctuary for plants and wildlife.

Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Allendale do hereby recognize Lillian and Stiles Thomas for their dedicated service and many contributions to the community and extend heartfelt wishes for continued happiness and success in their new home.

Elizabeth White, Mayor
December 27, 2018