1915 – 2003

LEWISTON – Leon Napoleon LeBlanc, 87, formerly of Andrea St., Lisbon, went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, April 23, at the St. Mary’s Hospital.

He was born in Brunswick, Sept. 22, 1915, a son of Napoleon and Regina (Brillant) LeBlanc. Mr. LeBlanc attended Brunswick schools and graduated from St. John’s High School, he later received a Liberal Arts Degree from the University of Maine.

On July 4, 1940 he married his beloved wife, Rita (Brillant) LeBlanc. Mr. LeBlanc was a Army Veteran and served his country in the armed forces for over 24 years. From 1943-1945 he served in the U.S. Navy Seabees during World War II.

From 1948-1951 he was an instructor-Noncommisioned officer Academy Fort Dix, NJ. From 1951-1953 he served as a Postal Supervisor in Kassel Germany. From 1953-1955 he was an instructor Non-commissioned Academy Fort Dix, N.J. From 1955-1956 he served as an intelligence Non -Commissioned officer in Korea. 1957-1959 he was an Advisor for the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Auburn. From 1959-1960 he was a French Interpreter for Laos NCO Fort Benning, Ga. From 1960-1963 he was an instructor N.C.O. Academy Kitzengen, Germany. From 1964-1966 R.O.T.C Advisor Bowdoin College, Brunswick.

Over his extensive military career he received the following honors, Good Conduct Medal with clusters, United States Commendation Medal and a commendations from the University of Maine of Orono.

For many years Mr. LeBlanc was an R.O.T.C. Instructor at the Bangor High School in Bangor, and served as an administrative secretary for the Lewiston Fire Department. He helped out at the student University of Maine Lewiston-Auburn, and served as an Outreach Worker for the Androscoggin County Task Force and worked with the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Maine serving as a counselor and budgeting.

Mr. LeBlanc also was greatly involved in the local community, he served as the past president of the Franco-American Society, past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, present treasurer for the Knights of Columbus, Lisbon Falls Council, Scoutmaster for 20 years, he was the organist and choir director for St. Anne’s parish in Lisbon and served as an officer on the Parish Council St. Anne’s parish in Lisbon. He also was an organized leader for the Youth Program at St. Anne’s Parish.

He is survived by three sons, Gerard LeBlanc Sr. and wife Rite of New Gloucester, Chanel LeBlanc and wife Nancy of Lewiston, and Michael LeBlanc and wife Brenda of Auburn; four daughters, Dolores Blier of Manchester, NH, Fatima Pawlowski of Cumberland, Regina “Fuzzy” Culleton and husband Michael of Turner, and MarieAnne Castonguay and husband Keith of Lewiston; one brother, Robert LeBlanc and wife Doris of Zephyrhills, Fla.; one sister, Yvonne Burgess of Brunswick; 15 grandchildren, Gerard LeBlanc Jr., Michelle Meyer, Ron Tierney, Debbie Martell, Howard Dumont Jr., John Michaud, Ann Cunningham, Jennifer LeBlanc, Daniel LeBlanc, Valerie LeBlanc, Christopher Pawlowski, Robert Pawlowski Jr., Cory Culleton, Shawn Culleton and Chad Culleton; 12 great-grandchildren, Ryan James LeBlanc, Tressa Meyer, Justin Meyer, Cody Martell, MacKenzie Tierney, BillieJo Dumont, Mason Rose Dumont, Hunter Michaud, Cody Friedel, Christopher Friedel, Justin Cunningham and Joshua Cunningham.

He was predeceased by his wife, Rita (Brillant) LeBlanc.