WISCASSET, Maine — Leon J. LeBlanc, age 75, of Wiscasset Maine, formerly of Lynn and Topsfield, passed away suddenly at his home on July 6, 2016. Leo was known as “Butch” to his family and friends.
He was born on Sept. 17, 1940, in Lynn, the son of the late Joseph L. and Madeleine (Murphy) LeBlanc. Leo was raised and educated in Lynn and graduated from Lynn English High School, Class of 1958. He had attended Northeastern University. He served his country for four years in the U.S. Coast Guard and was honorably discharged. He also lived for many years in southern Maine coastal areas.
Leo spent most of his career in the power generation industry, but he began his career first working in the material handling equipment field for Caterpillar dealers at Perkins Machinery Co. in Waltham and Lewis/Boyle, Inc. in Needham. He later started his own business, where he was the owner and president of New England Engine Corp. in Rowley, a diesel engine and generator dealership. He went on to work for various businesses in the power generation field. He was an influential member of EGSA, a national organization that supports the power generation industry, serving as a member of the board for many years as well as President. Leo was also a respected generating systems instructor for EGSA. He had also served as the chairman of the Board of Selectman in Middleton.
Leo was very active for many years with the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, where he attained the rank of First Lieutenant. He was a ski enthusiast who belonged to the Lynn Snow Chasers Ski Club for many years. He enjoyed spending time camping when his family was young. He took his family on a fantastic trip across the U.S. and Canada in a van hauling a trailer, a trip his family always cherished. He loved “all things ocean” especially his “Blue Glory” boats. He will be remembered as a fun-loving person, who will be sadly missed by his family and many friends.
Leo is survived by his two daughters, Michelle Murphy and husband, Edward, of Atkinson, N.H., and Laurie Thompson and her husband, Wayne, of Wakefield, N.H., four grandchildren, Conor and Erin Murphy of Atkinson and Alex and Nicholas Jaslowich of Salem. His sister, June Cennami and husband, Tom, of Lynn. Several nieces, nephews and many relatives in Nova Scotia, also survive him. He is also survived by his former wife, Jeanne LeBlanc of Plaistow, N.H. Leo was predeceased by his brother, Jack LeBlanc and two sisters, Dianne LeBlanc and Jill LeBlanc, all of Lynn. He was predeceased by his longtime companion, Mary Frances “Cookie” Mack of Wells, Maine.
Service information: Calling hours are Monday, July 25, 2016, from 9–10:30 a.m., at Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn, MA 01904. A funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m., at St. Pius V Church in Lynn. A private burial at sea with Coast Guard Military Honors will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Leo’s memory to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Center. Please visit Cuffemcginn.com for directions, or to sign the online guest book.