We write to inform you of the death of the Right Reverend Thomas C. Ely. We give God thanks for his life and for his years of faithful ministry in The Episcopal Church. ECCT was blessed to be his home for a significant part of his strong ministry. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Our prayers are with Tom’s family as well as all in the dioceses of Vermont and North Dakota.
Service arrangements have not yet been made, and will be communicated when available.
Yours in Christ,
Bishop Jeff & Bishop Laura
Thomas C. Ely
December 14, 1951–August 30, 2025
The Right Reverend Thomas C. Ely died Saturday, August 30, 2025. Born and raised in Norwalk, CT, he served as the 10th Bishop of Vermont from 2001–2019 and as Provisional Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota from 2021–2023.
Bishop Ely was ordained by the Episcopal Church in Connecticut in 1980. From 1980 to 1984, he was Assistant Missioner of the Middlesex Area Cluster Ministry, and from 1985 to 1991, he served as Director of Youth Ministry and Executive Director of Camp Washington. His work with Camp Washington began as a counselor in 1975. He worked for the Greater Hartford Regional Ministry for 10 years (1991–2000).
Bishop Ely was known for his churchwide work on LGBTQ+ inclusion and lay leadership.
Let Us Pray
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
May the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.