Leon Boyd

DOVER- Leon Alfred Boyd, 64, a lifelong resident of the Deerfield Valley, died at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, NH, on Thursday, April 9, from complications of the COVID-19 virus. His death was just six days after his twin brother, Cleon, died from the virus.
They were both born in the Bennington hospital on March 13, 1956, and were the twin sons of John Boyd and Janice Batchelder.
Mr. Boyd grew up on the family farm and attended schools in Wilmington and Mount Anthony Union High School, in Bennington, where he studied forestry and auto mechanics. He married the former Pamela Phelps in Readsboro on August 18, 1979. They had been together for 47 years and celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this past year.
Mr. Boyd enjoyed operating equipment and had worked for the state of Vermont transportation department for 15 years, Fitzpatrick Construction, and the Hermitage Club. One of his recent jobs that he thoroughly enjoyed was mowing the roadsides for the town of Dover. He also worked as the custodian at Whitingham School for 15 years. Much like his twin brother he loved to groom the trails at Mount Snow Ski Area. He always kept busy and had many interests including hunting , fishing, snowmobiling, being at the sugar house with family, and grooming the snowmobile trails for the Deerfield Valley Stump Jumpers.
Mr. Boyd loved nothing more than to sing and play guitar. He performed for many special occasions over the years such as weddings, funerals, anniversaries, birthday parties, and had for many years sent Whitingham graduates off with his special songs.
A devoted family man, he enjoyed working with his son Justin on his vehicle projects. He was very proud of his daughter Jenny’s accomplishments with the horses she trained and rode in competition. He was always willing to help with the horses whenever asked.
In addition to being a family man, he will be remembered for his outgoing personality and a man who was loving and caring , he loved life in general and would strike up a conversation with just about anyone.
Mr. Boyd also loved volunteering for the Deerfield Valley Farmers’ Day Fair every year. He dedicated over 30 years to the fair, as a loader operator and pinner for the horse draw, performing in the country jam session, and any other tasks that helped make the fair run. He also participated in the horse draw and ox pull at the Guilford Fair. Although his contributions to the fairs were on a volunteer basis, he took it very seriously and cherished the camaraderie and pride of putting on such a community-oriented event.
He leaves his mother Janice Batchelder, of Brattleboro; wife Pamela Boyd, of Dover; son Justin Boyd and his girlfriend Leah Greene,  of Wilmington; daughter Jenny Boyd, of  Dover; brother Bucky Boyd and wife Janet, of Wilmington; sisters Theresa Clare, of New York; Carol Boyd Johnson, of Burlington, and Tammy Snow, of Dover; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A service to celebrate the life of Mr.  Boyd will be held in Readsboro at a later date. He will be buried in the Readsboro Village Cemetery.
Memorial gifts in his memory may be made to the Deerfield Valley Stump Jumpers, in care of the Covey, Allen & Shea Funeral Home, PO Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send the family personal condolences visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.