William Thomas Ziegler

William Thomas (Tom) Ziegler, age 66, passed away August 28, 2026 at his home in Dorset, Vermont after a three year negotiation with brain cancer. He was born September 17, 1959 to the late Bill and Glenn Ziegler of Darien, Connecticut.

Tom was a graduate of Salisbury School class of 1978, Connecticut College class of 1982 and he earned his MBA from University of Bridgeport in 1990. He enjoyed a successful career in commercial/corporate real estate where he held leadership positions at Cushman & Wakefield and Jones Lang Lasalle. After raising his family in New Canaan, CT, he moved to southern Vermont where he truly loved spending his time. Tom enjoyed restoring two historic homes in Vermont, the last one being the site of the four Dorset Conventions in 1775 and 1776. He served as a Director for the Southwestern Vermont Health Care Foundation Board where he was instrumental in raising funds for the hospital’s current needs and better ways to deliver healthcare. Tom also served on the Bromley Outing Club’s Board of Directors and loved volunteering on the race crew where his two children, Max and Allie, grew up ski racing.

Often accused of running for mayor wherever he went, Tom is remembered as a gregarious entertainer who enjoyed the company of his friends and family. His voice could be heard above all in any room, sharing his encyclopedic knowledge of random facts on any subject. Throughout his life, Tom was an avid sailor, crewing on sailboats on Long Island Sound and captaining trips with his family in the Caribbean. He developed a love for horses as a young child galloping with friends on the trails, on through his later years where he taught young riders the basics at his farm and where he loved driving his Dales pony down the dirt roads. In retirement, he enjoyed exploring the hills of Vermont on his motorcycles and visiting with his children out west. With his enthusiastic presence that could make even the most mundane errands fun; Tom will be dearly missed by his family and those who knew him during a life well lived.

He is survived by his wife and children, Nancy Ziegler (Dorset, VT), Max Ziegler (Bozeman, MT) and Allie Ziegler (Wilson, WY). He is also survived by his three siblings, Dick Ziegler (Wilton, CT), Sue Barrows (Islamorada, FL) and Daryl Ziegler Henning (Ocala, FL).

At Tom’s request, no formal services will be held; a celebration of life will be scheduled. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bromley Outing Club, P.O. Box 775, Manchester Center, VT 05255.