Peter Trapp Obituary

PIERMONT, NH - It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Peter Norman Trapp, beloved husband of Erika Marie (Leavey) Trapp, on the 22nd of July 2025. Peter was born the 7th of February 1952 to immigrant parents, Adolf Trapp of Germany and his wife Anne-Elizabeth (Doerfler) Trapp of Austria. His father was a rocket scientist and his mother, a skilled seamstress and a gifted artist. Peter was raised as an only child in Livingston, New Jersey. During his childhood, he frequently returned to Germany and Austria with his parents to visit their extended family. In later years, he had the opportunity to attend the Elmwood Farm Camp in Ely, Vermont run by Moe and Margaret Eaton, Chuck Eaton's parents. One of the highlights during the summer was Saturday night when Mr. Eaton would load the campers into the sawdust truck with their sleeping bags and drop them at the Fairlee Drive-In. Peter returned to the camp for many, many years. The time spent at Elmwood farm set the tone for Peter's future. His love and nostalgia for the Upper Valley would eventually bring him back to those roots later in life. Peter was industrious and resourceful from an early age. He spent a year at Belknap College in New Hampshire. Wanting to do more, he returned to New Jersey to start his own roofing business and finished his BA in business at night. Always the entrepreneur, he would start, nurture and sell multiple businesses over the next few decades. Carpentry, garbage removal service, car sales, real estate and stump grinding, to name a few. In the 1980's he relocated to upstate New York continuing to expand his latest business of computer trade shows. It was during this time Peter bought his first farm raising Hereford's and horses. It was through farming that his path first crossed with Erika who would later become his wife. They bonded over their mutual love of farming and were married in 1992. They continued expanding their computer business and growing the farm while adding two sons to the family. In 1997 they sold the cows and moved the farm to the Upper Valley, purchasing the Eaton Berry Farm on Rt. 10 in Piermont, NH. David Lackey made many, many trips between NY and NH trucking all the farm's equipment up north. Peter and Erika continued to farm with now three sons and Erika's mother, Grandma (Mary) Zell raising Black Angus, assorted pigs, sheep, turkeys and chickens, etc. One Sunday night while Peter was reading the Valley News, he learned that the Fairlee Drive-In was up for sale. Monday, they looked at the property and Tuesday signed a Purchase of Sale agreement all before leaving Wednesday morning for a computer show in Ohio! Life had circled back around. Running the farm was often an all-consuming job with the added hustle during the summer and the hectic days when the Drive-In was open. It was a hard, rewarding and full life. One Peter loved. Peter is survived by his wife Erika Marie (Leavey) Trapp; his son Peter (PJ) Trapp and his wife Niki (Muckenhirn) Trapp; son, Cooper Trapp and his partner Jess Ward; and son, Tucker Trapp and fiancé Alyssa Fontaine. Also, a brother-in-law, John B. Leavey and wife Anne E. Leavey, their son Daniel and family, Sister-in-law Kathy M. Leavey and her daughter Megan Claire. A memorial service will be held in October with details to follow. Arrangements are in the care of Hale Funeral Home, 187 Upper Plain in Bradford. Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.halefuneralhomes.com