Obituary: Timothy Sean Coleman, 1954-2026

Timothy Sean Coleman of Ferrisburgh, Vt., passed away after taking his last swim of the summer on Sunday, August 9, 2026. He was in the presence of an open, blue sky; trees; beautiful clouds; and light reflecting on the waters of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. Everyone he loved was in his heart.

Born in New Haven, Conn., on March 4, 1954, to Carole Ann Coleman and Raymond Coleman, Tim grew up with his younger brother, TR, and younger sisters, Lisa, Kimberly and Heather, in a huge bustling family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and many cousins. He adored his family and stayed connected with his sisters through “weekly Zoom.”

Tim spent vacations in Vermont as a child and then settled in the Burlington area in the 1980s, where he became a deeply integral part of the community as a social worker. He believed in human rights and worked tirelessly to build bridges for those in need. Throughout his 40 years of work at the Committee on Temporary Shelter, he touched thousands of lives. Through his compassion, advocacy and unwavering belief in people, he helped countless individuals take their next step toward recovery, treatment, employment and housing. By helping people find stability and break the cycle of homelessness, he changed not only their lives but also the trajectory of future generations. Tim worked at COTS from its infancy in November 1983 until his retirement in August 2022. His life was one of service; his big heart, sharp wit and ability to connect with people of all walks of life were truly his hallmark. Tim will be remembered for his progressive worldview and the legacy he left in the Burlington community.

Tim met his lifelong companion and wife, Deborah Schlosser, in 1987 at Leunig’s Café in Burlington, where Tim was a regular, and quickly became a son, brother and uncle in Debbie’s family (Judy, Bill, Carl, Kim, Susan and Donna; their spouses, Tommy, Chris and Jaybird; their children, Shane, Meredith, Evan, Courtney and Carley). Tim had a kooky sense of humor and put people at ease with his easy banter. People confided in him. He and Debbie bought the fixer-upper of their dreams and raised their dear son, Devon, and many adored pets. They created a life together that included lots of gardening (especially garlic!) and over 20 years of musical collaboration in two bands, the Warrens and Willoughbys. Music was the mortar in their lives: farmers markets, the Monkey House, Nectar’s, private parties, weddings and the band in the band shell at the COTS walk-a-thon. Tim could belt out a fine Jayhawks cover; a solid blues tune; a soft, plaintive lullaby to his son when he was young; as well as a dramatic show tune. He loved Americana music. Being able to create music and harmonize with your spouse is a true gift. He was a rare bird, indeed. There are no words to describe the silence left in his wake.

Summers were full of kayaking and swimming. Being by the water, whether ocean, lake or river, was Tim’s favorite place to be. A true Pisces. Popham Beach in Maine was a destination for many years, where he would spend hours bodysurfing and boogie boarding and walking the beach for miles with his family. He loved teaching his son, niece and nephew how to boogie board. Many afternoons were spent at the Huntington Gorge, New Haven River and Lake Champlain.

In retirement, he was known for his daily walks on the trails of Kingsland Bay State Park, barefoot. He loved birds and nature and photographing flowers and water. He adored his pets. A fresh-ground cup of coffee in the morning and playing piano late into the night brought him great joy, as well as those homemade chocolate chunk oatmeal coconut cookies and milk before bed. He’d buy lottery tickets and make plans for who he’d help if he won! Hanging with old friends and musical brothers (you know who you are, loved ones) and going to music gatherings were highlights of his life. Driving around in his car with Annabelle, his dog, hanging her head out the window was always one of his favorite road trips.

Tim was an extremely private and humble person who died in a public place. The consolation is that it was one of his favorite places. We don’t get to choose our last moment on this Earth. It might be presumptuous to think the moment was chosen for him, but if the angels gathered to take him at that moment, it was a kind of solace for all of the time he spent in treatment after his diagnosis. If Tim’s will was involved at all, it would be Tim deciding to do it in his nontraditional way until the very end.

Tim is survived by his best friend and wife, Deborah; son, Devon Coleman; adored sisters, Lisa Coleman (her children, Myranda, Rachel and Brian), Kimberly Coleman and Melissa, and Heather McDavid and husband Richard (her children, Wes, Melanie, Ian and Matt); sister in-law, Anne Coleman (love you, TR), (her children, Brad and Zach); as well as a large clan of Coleman/Bjornberg family, Debbie’s entire family, dear friends, and beloved pets Neco and Elijah.

A service is in the process of being planned sometime in late September. Please look to Seven Days for an update.

Tim believes that food brings people together. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to COTS’ new kitchen or the Addison County Humane Society.

This article appears in August 26 • 2026.