Leon Maurice Taylor

Leon Maurice Taylor, 101, a lifelong resident of Weare, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2026.

Born January 29, 1925, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Robert Willis Taylor of Newfoundland and Rose May (Grant) Taylor of Weare. They moved to Weare in 1929 and proudly called it home for the rest of his life.

He was predeceased by his siblings, Mary Lou Stein, Pauline Richards, and Robert (“Bobby”) Taylor. Leon is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Nancy (Colburn) Taylor; his children, Kevin (Brenda) Taylor of Hopkinton, Jeffrey Taylor of Weare, Peter (Diane) Taylor of Bradford, and Amy (Robert) Shannon of Weare; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren, with one more expected soon.

Leon often said he was grateful to have “lived many lives” in his 101 years. Over the decades he worked as a machinist, mechanic, mail carrier, and licensed electrician (NH License #72); delivered block ice in the 1940s and 1950s; plowed snow for the town; cared for local estates well into his 80s; and spent 25 years with Knoxland Equipment installing some of New England’s first automated milking parlors. He was repairing hay balers well into his 90s.

He joined the Weare Fire Department as a junior firefighter at age 14 and served for more than 75 years as a firefighter and EMT, receiving a gubernatorial commendation in 2014 for his extraordinary dedication.

He also served as a Fish and Game Warden and Forestry Warden, earning state recognition for his work with the Forest Protection Bureau. Passionate about fire prevention and the Smokey Bear program, he battled major wildfires in the White Mountains and monitored New Hampshire’s forests and lakes from the air as a licensed pilot.

Known for his Yankee ingenuity and tireless work ethic, Leon was a treasured member of the Weare community and a devoted family man who passed on the values of hard work and service.

A celebration of life will be held this spring at the Weare Public Safety Complex; details will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Central NH Forest Fire Wardens Association online at
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XSZWWR2M3TMDG
or by mail to CNHFFWA, PO Box 176, Epsom, NH 03234.