Obituary of Lawrence Andrew LeBlanc

LeBLANC, Lawrence A. Pictou Lawrence “Moon” LeBlanc passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Maritime Odd Fellows Home, Pictou on December 31, 2023. Born on November 23, 1939, he was the son of the late Pat and Bessie (Keddy) LeBlanc. A proud Pictonian, Lawrence took pride in every facet of his town. As a young man, he was a member of the Pictou Highlanders, the Nova Scotia Highlanders and eventually went to sea on the CGS Baffin. He was a proud member of Br. 16 Royal Canadian Legion and thoroughly enjoyed the time in his later years as chairman of the Community Advisory Board at the 144 CEF Air Reserve Unit. Lawrence continuously gave back to his community. Over the years he served various roles with the Pictou Lions Club, the Pictou Fire Department, the Gentleman’s Club, the West Pictou Cancer Society, Pictou Lobster Carnival, the Veteran’s Comfort Fund, Eastern Star I.O.O.F. Lodge #1 and the New Caledonia Masonic Lodge #11. Lawrence saw no challenge he couldn’t tackle. He was also very proud of his sport contributions over the years, notably track and field and two inductions into Pictou County’s Sports Heritage Hall of Fame for basketball with the All-Star Team of 1958 and hockey with the Jr. Mariners Hockey team. Lawrence was passionate about his careers. He revelled in telling stories about his days as a pipe fitter, welder and building supervisor for Public Works Canada. He was forever a union man, serving many years with UA Local 244 of Pipe Fitters, Plumbers and Welders. Lawrence was elected to Pictou Town Council in 1982, ultimately becoming Mayor in 1991. Lawrence would go onto serve four terms for his beloved Pictou before retiring undefeated in 2004. He was a curator of Pictou history and could often be called upon to answer questions. Above all, Lawrence was proud of his family. He and Margie playfully teased each other for over sixty years. Lawrence was happiest when his family was together, telling stories from the good old days. He loved hearing what his only grandchild, Anna, was up to and was thrilled when she moved home to Pictou, “right down the street”. He loved his family fiercely and loyally and showed them many times over the years exactly what it meant to never, ever give up. Lawrence was well known for his quick wit and frank, no-nonsense attitude. He had no trouble expressing himself and letting people know just where he stood on any matter that he was involved. He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Margaret (Downs); his son, Andrew and daughter-in-law, Myrna (MacDonald); the apple of his eye, granddaughter, Anna (Casey O’Shea); sister, Patsy (Butch) Fleury; brother-in-law, Will Downs; sister-in-law, Patsy McCara; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his parents-in-law, Charles and Henritta Downs; sister, Dianne (Wayne) Burns; sisters-in-law, Joan (Bill) Roddick and Dorothy (John) MacIntosh; brother-in-law, Hector McCara; and infant son, Charles Patrick. Despite his short stay at the Maritime Odd Fellows Home, the family would like to express their deep appreciation to the staff for the care, attention and community they gave to Lawrence. His remains are resting at McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou. Visitation will be Friday, January 5th from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Funeral will be held at St. Andrew’s Church, Pictou on Saturday, January 6th at 11 AM with Pastor Pat Wilson officiating. Family flowers only please, donations in his memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of one’s choice. www.mclarenfuneral.ca