Tyler Bixler, “Ty”, “Bix”, “TyTy”, “Ler”, 41, of Colchester, passed away peacefully at his home at 6:25pm on Wednesday May 21, 2025 surrounded by love and his ladies. Tyler was able to spend his final weeks comfortably at home thanks to the immense, round-the-clock, and loving care provided to him by his own personal nursing team–his wife, Jen, and their “house manager” and best friend, Katie, along with support from the UVMHN Hospice team and the UVMMC Oncology team.

Tyler remained stoic during his two-and-a-half year battle against esophageal cancer; nary a complaint, he continued to be his fun-loving and humorous self until the end, a testament to how he lived his entire life, authentically.

Tyler was born on February 27, 1984 in Rutland, VT and grew up in East Rupert, VT. He graduated in 2002 from Salem High School in Salem, NY where he played football, baseball, and wrestled, and, to no one’s surprise, received the title of Prom King.

After high school, Tyler went on to earn his B.A. in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Business, from Castleton State College in 2007. While in college, Tyler joined the Rugby club and found that he loved the sport, though his favorite part of any rugby match was the “third half.” These “third-half”s are where he built life-long bonds with his rugby mates, who became like family. College is also where he met, and went on to marry, his very own Prom Queen, Jen.

What began as a wild night at The Dogg in Castleton, Ty’s and Jen’s romance developed into one of fairy tales. They shared a deep, unconditional, and unwavering love until the end. They were truly soulmates. They were each others’ perfect complements. Jen was caring and emotive, but cautious; Ty was bold and adventurous, but guarded. Jen taught Ty how to accept and express his love and Ty taught Jen how to be confident and independent. And most importantly, no two people could make friends like they could. Neither of them ever met a stranger. This shared trait helped them to create the most vast, loving, and unparalleled community around them and turned their Colchester home into a hub, where their door was always open.

Although it took him 9 years to propose, Jen and Tyler finally tied the knot on August 9th, 2014 in Killington, where they threw the wedding of a lifetime. They reaffirmed their commitment to each other for their 10th anniversary in a vow renewal ceremony, held in the Dominican Republic on February 25, 2024, witnessed by just a “small” number of friends (35!).

Tyler’s career with the State of Vermont Department of Corrections began shortly after graduating college where he held different roles across the state until finally landing as a Senior Probation and Parole Officer in Burlington. Tyler was dedicated to his work and proud of what he accomplished. He was a member of the peer support team, as well as an expert trainer who onboarded and mentored staff in field offices and correctional facilities across the state.

Strong in his convictions, Tyler valued honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Tyler was unapologetically himself. Whether he was sending you an inappropriate instagram reel (one of his favorite pastimes), quoting his favorite movie lines, sharing a crude joke, wearing one of his notorious t-shirts, or telling it like it is, he was never afraid to be who he was, a perpetual jokester. This quality is what made him so lovable and so unforgettable.

Tyler drew people in, whether you met him on the Rugby field, at the bowling alley, served him a drink or sold him a car, you were now his friend. He was magnetic. His laugh–contagious, personality–infectious, and charisma–captivating. And more than anything, Ty made you feel seen. He left an impact on every person he crossed paths with. Ty could light up any room with his smile and lift anyone’s spirit with his laugh. He loved a good time and was always the life of the party. His love and light were so strong. He radiated joy.

Tyler loved the outdoors and was drawn to the water. He held a deep water scuba diving certification which got him a job removing invasive milfoil from the bottom of Lake Morey for several summers during college. He also loved fly-fishing and boating, though he and Jen sold their boat, Annie B. after one too many near misses. He traded in the water for the woods and became obsessed with riding side-by-sides. He and Jen began the tradition of taking their side-by-side to the woods of Northern New Hampshire each summer along with friends.

Those that knew Ty knew he was passionate about his sports teams–the New York Giants and Ohio State–Go Bucks! His favorite color was Giants blue. The NFL draft was a holiday to him and fantasy football, a full time job. Ty didn’t just like to watch sports but also liked to play. As an adult he enjoyed co-ed softball, Tuesday night bowling league, and summer days on the golf course.

The NFL draft wasn’t the only holiday Ty loved, his 4th of July celebrations were legendary, and his Halloweens, infamous. A tradition since childhood, Ty and his dad would light up the sky for the 4th with an elaborate and epic fireworks show rivaling that of any professional. These celebrations were the type where you either made memories you’ll pass down to your grandkids, or left with no memory at all. Also rivaling a professional event were the Bixlers’ haunted houses. Each Halloween their garage transformed into a ghastly haunted house with a full cast of grisly, ghoulish characters recruited from their friends and neighbors. Ty’s goal was always to see how many kids he could scare to tears.

When he wasn’t out adventuring, he could be found lounging in his recliner snuggling with his bulldog Vinny, in the basement playing his favorite video games, enjoying a thunderstorm on his sun porch, or throwing back some drinks with the SW neighborhood crew, living up to his self-proclaimed title of “driveway drinker”.

The life of such a radiant soul cannot be summed up in just a few pages–it would take a novel. Tyler has touched so many lives that his impact ripples and reverberates far and wide. He will be missed for his insatiable humor and spice for life.

Tyler is survived by the love of his life, Jen (Morgan) Bixler and their beloved pup Vinny “TubTub”, as well as his father, Bruce Bixler and partner Mary Sullivan, his brother Michael Sullivan (Ashley), and sisters Erin Maloney (Tommy) and Brooke Bixler, in-laws Bill and Dale Morgan, brother-in-law Jimmy Morgan, and his nieces and nephews Olivia, Grayson, Harper, Will, and Levi. TyTy also played a cherished role in the lives of many chosen nieces and nephews and leaves behind innumerable friends and loved ones including many cousins and extended family.

As an homage to Tyler’s love of music and live shows, a celebration of life will be held at Higher Ground Ballroom in South Burlington on August 3rd from 1-4. Friends and family are invited to help send Ty off in style at a celebration of life-lived-to-the-fullest. Please share your memories of Tyler to be included in his celebration of life at: rememberingtybix@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tyler’s Legacy Fund: https://everloved.com/life-of…

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