J. Leonard Bachelder ’57 died on November 3, 2024, in Topsfield, Massachusetts.

(The following was provided by Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home in November 3, 2024:)

John Leonard Bachelder (Len, Lenny, Dad, Grandpa, Grandpapa) was released to Eternal Rest on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at Masconomet Health Center, in Topsfield, surrounded by the love of his family.

Len was born on August 31, 1936, to Keith and Doris (Sargent) Bachelder in Salem, Massachusetts. He attended Brooks Country Day school as an adolescent, but really blossomed when he enrolled at Merrimac High School in 1949. From there, he attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, where he studied education, with a focus in mathematics. During his time in Maine, he discovered a love for Portland and the surrounding areas. He also discovered that he was not particularly interested in teaching: mathematics, or anything else. He was hired straight from Bowdoin to Mitre Corporation and spent his career in computer programming and development. He was delighted with the idea of being on the ground level of the computer age, and he thoroughly enjoyed his work until his retirement in 1997.

Len was a faithful man, and he devoted much of his time and energy to the Merrimacport United Methodist Church in Merrimac, MA. In 1975, while attending a Bible study group, he met the woman who was to become his loving wife, Nancy. They married in 1978, and he gladly accepted the role of father to her four children. As a family, they spent many years vacationing on Peaks Island in Casco Bay, Maine. He shared his love of musical theater with his family, often inviting his children and grandchildren to share in his season tickets at North Shore Music Theater. As a musician himself, he enjoyed sharing his music, both piano and organ, with his family and his church community.

Len discovered a love of trains at six years old, and this became one of his life’s greatest passions. A self-proclaimed historian, Len enjoyed all aspects of the American rail systems and devoted much of his time to working with many enthusiast groups: riding the rails, organizing special events, authoring the trip brochures and route description booklets, and taking many, many pictures. He was an active member of the 470 Railroad Club of Portland, ME, serving as vice president; Mass Bay Railroad Enthusiasts, serving on the board of directors; National Railroad Society, Boston Chapter; Boston and Maine Historical Society; Hartford Division Railroad Enthusiasts; Champlain Valley Chapter Railroad Historical Society; Bus History Association; and Boston Street Railway Association.

Throughout his career, and his subsequent retirement, Len and his wife, Nancy, spent much of their free time traveling. With Len’s love of the railroad, and other public means of transportation, the couple visited many states by rail, as well as several Canadian provinces. Len and Nancy made a nine-week trip to New Zealand to visit and meet his relatives on his paternal side, in 2001. There, they met his cousin Ross Hinton with whom he’d remained in close contact with since. They also spent several weeks traveling to Alaska in 2013.

In addition to trains and travel, Len was an avid Celtics fan. He was most recognizable in his bright green bomber jacket and, when he was not able to attend games in person, enjoyed watching the games with his granddaughter and great grandson.

Aside from his hobbies, Len was a good dad and grandpa. He cared deeply for his family and worked to make sure that they had what they needed. He was very proud of each and every one of them.

Len is survived by his daughter Roxanne Brown, and her partner, Richard Puleio, daughter Suzanne Roberts, and son, Richard Roberts, and his wife, Susan, all of Merrimac; grandchildren Sara Mattinson of Euclid, OH, Sheri Walker of Newburyport, Kathleen Taranto and her husband, Jason, of Maysville, NC, Jenifer Lyons and her wife, Katie, of North Chelmsford, Matthew Roberts and his wife, Caileigh, of Merrimac, Adam Roberts of Dallas, TX, Alex Roberts and his wife, Christa, of Hampstead, NH, Chelsea Goodale of Salem, NH; his cousin Ross Hinton of Auckland, NZ; and twelve great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his wife of forty-four years, Nancy, their daughter Christine Mattinson and her husband, Brad.

Len’s family would like to acknowledge the Merrimacport United Methodist Church family for their love and generous support. They would also like to thank the staff at Masconomet Health Center in Topsfield, MA for their loving and kind care during his transition.