Obituary of Lester Joseph LeBlanc

At Ridgewood Veteran’s Home on Wednesday March 23, 2011 surrounded by his family, Lester Joseph LeBlanc, left this earthly life to enter into eternal life with God. Born February 21, 1921 in Little Bras d’Or, Cape Breton, N.S., Lester was the son of the late Homer and Florence LeBlanc. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Dorothy (Getchell) LeBlanc. Lester will be missed by his sons, Brian, Chris (Susan), Bill (Betty), and daughters Patti Daley (Jim) and Betty French. Lester also leaves behind grandchildren Jason, Jessica, Jeff, Maureen, Curtis, Aimee, Greg, Rod, Cherie, Terry, and Leanne and several great grandchildren. He is survived by brothers Chester, James, Aulden, John R. and sisters Catherine and Theresa. He was predeceased by brothers Lawrence R., John C., Frank and Peter. Lester lived a full and courageous life. He was a devout Catholic serving his church and community as a member of the Knights of Columbus, Lector, Altar Server, Eucharistic Minister, and member of the Holy Name Society. Lester had a great deal of compassion for the sick and shut in and for many years visited them and brought them communion. Lester was a man who faced adversity in his life. At age eight when his mother died he went to sea with his father on the sailing ship the Beatrice D. He went to work in the coal mines at age 12 and when WWII broke out he enlisted giving five and ½ years in military service as a Non-commissioned Officer and Combat Instructor. In 1943 Lester won the Canadian Army Semi-finals, Boxing Championship Welterweight Division. There was not much that Lester couldn’t do. In 1967, at the age of 46, Lester placed first in the YMCA Business Men’s Marathon. He worked in the insurance business, managed construction companies and airlines. He was a boxer, scuba diver and scuba instructor. He loved the ocean and owned several boats. In 1971 Lester captained the Wendy-N-Brothers to the Azores, Portugal in search of sunken treasure. Resting at Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with Lester’s family welcoming your visits on Thursday from 7 – 9 pm and Friday from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. William’s Church, St. Martins on Saturday, March 25, 2011 at 1:00 PM. Interment will take place in St. William’s Cemetery. A Royal Canadian Legion Tribute Service will be held during visitation on Friday at 7 PM. For those who wish, donations to St. William’s Church Building Fund, the Joshua Group or simple act of kindness toward the sick or shut in would be a fine remembrance of Lester.