Tracy Milton Mead

Tracy Milton Mead, "Milt" as he was known by his family and friends, passed away at home on his farm Sunday evening, March 15, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Mead; his four children: Lori Mead and Ken Rosenberger, Spencer and Andi Mead, Tammi Mead and Mark Bomysoad, Wendy and Eli Walsh; his grandchildren: Taylor (Scott Gardner) Mead, Ethan (Gabbi) Mead, Ty Mead, Elliott Mead, Spencer (Cheyanne Rummel) Mead, Quinten Mead, Mahayla Walsh, Tracy Walsh; his great grandchildren: Hudson, Briggs, Miles, Walker, and Hayes. He is also survived by his three sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and Gary Gentile, Kathie and Don Brainard, Janet and Kevin Dunlop; several nieces, nephews and their families.

Milt was born in Endicott, NY on December 4, 1943, the son of Tracy F. and Shirley A. (Dodge) Mead. He graduated from OFA in 1962. Milt began his farming career at age 6, baling hay and operating machinery alongside his father and Uncle Gerald. School was a distraction from his passion for farming and hunting, but Milt did fulfill his mother's wish to graduate from high school. Following graduation, Milt worked with his father and Uncle Gerald until it became evident that his ambition and desire to grow the farm far exceeded theirs. After buying out his father in 1965 and then his uncle in 1968, a family friend suggested to Milt that he take a motorcycle ride over the hill, where he met his bride, Cheryl and lifelong partner of 57 years. Together they started an expansion project that continues to this day with their son Spencer at the helm.

Milt was a savvy businessman who built an empire through hard work, grit, and the ability to make the right decision in the moment. One of Milt's favorite stories was about his high school guidance counselor who told him he would never make it in farming; Milt would stop right there and quietly say, "Guess I probably showed him." Milt was extremely progressive in his thinking and was willing to try new technology in the barn and with machinery. He appreciated the value of doing business with his word and a handshake. Milt was generous and always willing to help others in need. He took great pride in owning the biggest and best equipment John Deere had to offer. From self propelled choppers and self propelled mowers to triple mowers, giant corn planters, and 4WD tractors, he always leaned in and took a chance. He was the epitome of a farmer and did it his way right up to the end. On his final day he sat with his son and grandson reviewing what their cattle sold for, then watched the weather and climbed the stairs to go to bed. He left the world the way he lived his life-on his terms.

Milt loved his daughters deeply and would beam with pride when talking about their work ethic and everything they accomplished, both personally and professionally. He led by example and made a tremendous impact not only on his daughters but also on his son, his sons in law, and his grandchildren's lives.

To truly understand Milt, you had to work with him. Countless people passed through the farm over the years, but only a select few were able to master working with Milt, which required an exercise in patience, the ability to read minds, interpreting the ancient farmer hand signals, and, quite simply, knowing when to get out of the way. Whether milking cows, sorting cows, operating equipment, or working in the shop, Milt would never ask anyone to do anything that he would not do himself. Right up to the end he would often take the hardest jobs-jobs that a man half his age would struggle to do-in order to demonstrate humility, showing that no one person in the operation was more important than another.

While most of Milt's interests revolved around the farm, he also had a passion for hunting, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, and airplanes. You often needed a vacation after taking a vacation with Milt to recover. It didn't matter whether it was climbing mountains on Colorado elk hunts, waterskiing on the Finger Lakes and in Virginia, fishing with family and friends in Canada and on the St. Lawrence, flying his airplane at the treetops so he could see what was going on, or snowmobiling; there was an element of danger in everything he did.

Given the fact that Milt worked for decades in one of the most dangerous professions, and his hobbies were arguably equally dangerous, it is truly a miracle that he lived to be 82 years old and continued to feed his larger than life persona.

You're going to be missed, Dad, but it's time to get some rest-we have it covered down here. We love you and thank you for so many memories.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Please consider a memorial contribution to your local FFA chapter or Roswell Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY in memory of Milt, also remember to always support and appreciate your local farmers. Please share your memories at www.RichardsFH.com