Vershire, Vt. —
He was born on Nov. 29, 1946, to Beverly (Cadwell) Adams and Victor Adams in Lebanon, N.H. In his early years, he was raised and schooled in Norwich, Vt. on Turnpike Road. In his later years, his schooling was in Post Mills and Thetford, Vt. He was an athlete participating in baseball, basketball and boxing. His love of baseball eventually lead him to a mens’ softball league and a coaching position with a local Little League team. In his mid-teens Leon started working on cars and learning about body work at Bill Phelps’ garage in North Thetford. He also started dirt track racing when he was 16 years old. He continued with racing for the next 40 years at various tracks in the Upper Valley, mostly at Bear Ridge in Bradford, Vermont where he drove the number 0 and won many races and more Enduros than any other driver in the State of Vermont. He was a jack of all trades and had many jobs over the course of his life from hanging drywall to restoring antique vehicles. He was normally found working in his garage and took great pride in his work. He could essentially build or fix anything, especially if it was made from tin and referred to himself as “The Tin Man.”
He was an avid outdoorsmen and had a passion for hunting and fishing. He knew everything there was to know about antique cars and traveled to numerous car shows with his car buddies. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, who gave him great joy and pride.
Leon leaves behind his mother, Beverly Hill of Vershire; his soulmate of 34 years, Susan Sargent of Vershire; his daughter, Brandie Adams, of Lebanon, N.H.; his daughter, Shelby Harris, and her husband, Shane, of Fairlee, Vt,; his daughter, Ashley Battis, and her husband, Jesse, of Newbury, Vt.; his brother, Russell Adams, and his wife, Penny, of Island Pond, Vt.; his sister, Barbara Swift, and her husband, Merlin (Jr.), of West Fairlee, Vt.; his half-brother, Mark Hill, of Londonderry, N.H.; his half-sister, Julie Hill, of Vershire; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous aunts, uncles, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Victor Adams and his granddaughter, Reagan Battis.
A celebration of Leon’s life will be held on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the Vershire Town Center, Vershire.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Leon’s honor to Bayada Hospice, P.O. Box 1590, Norwich, VT 05055 or on-line at www.bayada.com/hospice.
A private message of sympathy for the family can be shared at www.boardwayandcilley.com.