Leon “Bud” Meader Jr., founder of Meader Supply in Rochester, N.H., passed away Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. He was 84.

After attending Wenworth Institute in Boston, Mass., the Charleston, Maine, native and his new bride Ruth Lee Gray, moved back to the family farm on Meaderboro Road. He was a milkman and a firefighter for a short time before starting a string of successful businesses — Budel Construction, Meader Supply, Meader’s Heritage Farm and Granite State Belgians.

In addition to his business ventures, Meader served on several boards, including North American Horse Council, Rochester Economic Development Commission, Rochester Fair Association, New Hampshire State Foresters Licensing Board, New Hampshire State Agricultural Advisory Board, Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Maine Wilderness Watershed Trust and Profile Bank.

He is survived by two brothers, David and Mary Jo Meader, and Neil and Barbara Meader, both of Maine; his son, Robert and wife Polly Meader of Rochester, N.H.; his daughters, Linda Beachy of Ohio and Lorraine and husband Dana Rines of Rochester, N.H.; his 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 preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Ruth Lee Meader, his son-in-law, Dean Beachy and his grandson, Steven Beachy.

A memorial service took place Aug. 11, 2025. Burial was in the Meader Family Burying Ground in Rochester, N.H. Donations in his memory may be made to the Maine Wilderness Watershed Trust, P.O. Box 5660, Augusta, ME 04332-5660.