On September 8, 2024, Thaddeus “Thad” Rubel Shelly III passed away at 71 years old after a courageous six-year battle with cancer. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and Thad was surrounded by his family.
Thad was born on August 29, 1953, to Beverly Agnew Haskins and the late Thaddeus Rubel Shelly Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee. Their family settled in Newport News, Virginia where Thad graduated from Hampton Roads Academy in 1971 and went on to Hampden-Sydney College, graduating with a BA in Economics (’75). Thad began his teaching and coaching career after college, when he met Helen Totty Edwards from Smithfield, Virginia, whom he married in June of 1982. Totty encouraged Thad to further his education and get his MBA in Finance from the Mason School of Business at The College of William & Mary (’84). His passion for the institution was unwavering; he subsequently dedicated 27 years to serving on the board of the Business School Foundation.
After earning his MBA, Thad began his career in wealth management at Goldman Sachs and spent the following years in leading roles at other notable financial institutions including Legg Mason, Bessemer Trust, Lazard, and Tiedemann Advisors.
Thad’s career took the family many places along the east coast: Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York and Florida. His favorite place of all was their home on the Rappahannock River in Deltaville, Virginia, where you could find Thad enjoying a fine cigar on the porch after hours on the water with family and friends every summer. He was a family man and thoroughly enjoyed time spent with his loved ones. When Thad wasn’t working or enjoying the River, he was out on the links perfecting his golf game.
Thad was a distinguished athlete throughout high school and college, and was recently inducted to the Hampton Roads Athletic Hall of Fame to recognize his accomplishments and unyielding dedication to many sports. Thad was also known for his exceptional leadership and dedication, and served as a role model during his time as a coach (college, high school and his sons’ football teams in Severna Park, MD).
Thad dedicated over 25 years serving on various advisory boards including The College of William & Mary Business School, Johns Hopkins University Heart and Vascular Institute, Hampden-Sydney College and Hampton Roads Academy.
Thad is survived by Totty, his wife of 42 years; his four children: Charlie (Sarah), Jay (Kaitlin), Will (Kelly) and Lee (Malcolm); his granddaughters, Elizabeth and Caroline and future grandson; his mother, Beverly; and brother, Bill (Karen).
The Shelly Family wishes to thank the Chapel at Kingsmill, Hampton Roads Academy, Virginia Health Hospice, W&M Mason School of Business, and friends for the love and support you have provided Thad and all of us during this time.
Visitation will be on Friday, September 13, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd, Williamsburg, VA.
There will be a Celebration of Life held on Saturday, September 14 at 11 a.m. at William & Mary Mason School of Business, Miller Hall Brinkley Commons Room, 101 Ukrop Way, Williamsburg, VA.
