Christmas Tree farmer, ‘Big John’ Leyden, dies at 87
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A local legend known for his Christmas tree farm, ‘Big John’ Leyden, was a man who lived for the holidays.
But this Christmas, the Leyden family was without ‘Big John,’ who passed away December 23rd at the age of 87.
Leyden ran his Christmas tree farm in West Greenwich for over 4 decades, helping make Christmas merry and bright for thousands of Rhode Islanders.
‘Big John’ served as the president of the Rhode Island Christmas Tree Growers Association, and was a national advocate for real Christmas trees and their economic and environmental impacts on America.
His 100–acre tree farm provided numerous jobs for neighbors, and even in the off–season provided plenty of fun for visitors by converting into a Halloween maze complete with ‘Zombie paintball.’
‘Big John’ passed away just two days before Christmas, and while sad, it’s almost fitting for a man who loved the holidays.
His family intends to keep the farm running and says they’ll keep the name ‘Big John’ in its title, to make sure his legacy lives on.
A funeral for ‘Big John’ Leyden will be held on Friday, and he will be buried at the Veterans Cemetery in Exeter, with full military honors.
© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2018
