Leon Meader Jr. ... ran Meader's Heritage Farm; at 84

ROCHESTER - Leon "Bud" Meader Jr., 84, died Friday Aug. 1, 2025 at home surrounded by family.

He was born March 6, 1941 in Charleston, Maine, the oldest son of the late Leon and Mary Meader, Sr. He attended Wenworth Institute in Boston, MA prior to moving back to the family farm on Meaderboro Road and married the love of his life, Ruth Lee Gray. He worked for a short time as a milkman and a fireman before starting the first of several successful businesses: Budel Construction Corp, Meader Supply Corp, and Meader's Heritage Farm and their Granite State Belgians.

Bud also served on several boards to include: North American Horse Council, Rochester Economic Development Commission, Rochester Fair Association, NH State Foresters Licensing Board, NH State Agricultural Advisory Board, Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Maine Wilderness Watershed Trust and 35 years for Profile Bank in Rochester. He was very well known and respected by many for his extensive knowledge of NH Antiques and history. He especially enjoyed spending time in the woods and on the farm with his family.

Members of Bud's family include two brothers, David and Mary Jo Meader, Neil and Barbara Meader, both of Maine, son Robert and wife Polly Meader of Rochester, NH, daughter Linda Beachy of Ohio, and daughter Lorraine and husband Dana Rines of Rochester, NH. Grandchildren and great grandchildren- Christine Meader and Husband Jonathan Langley- their children William, Thomas and Theodore; Kimberly Meader and husband Christopher Garcia, Elizabeth Meader and Matt Giordano, Heather Meader and Aaron Ciotti, Robert and wife Virginia Beachy, Benjamin Beachy, David and wife Esther Beachy, Samuel and wife Cati Rines- their children Eleanor and Oliver; Daniel and wife Paige Rines. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Ruth Lee Meader, his son-in-law, Dean Beachy and his grandson, Steven Beachy.