Bathurst – Pierre LeBlanc, 85, of Smith Dr., Bathurst, passed away on Friday January 20, 2017 at the Chaleur Regional Hospital, Bathurst.
Pierre was born in Grande Digue in 1931. He survived a premature birth (weighing 2 .5 pounds) at a time where modern technology was certainly not available in a rural setting. Descending from a long line of carpenters, he learned carpentry skills from his father on the farm which provided him of pleasurable hobby in later life. An intelligent student in school, opportunities were lacking and he was unable to further his studies past the 8th grade. Being naturally curious, he took upon himself to enroll in a correspondence course in radio repair. Upon completion of his course, he offered his repair services locally until he found employment in 1952 with the Lounsbury Company in Moncton. He would retire from Lounsbury’s in Bathurst 42 years later as store manager and after having become the company’s first French director in its history.
In 1961 he married Louise Girouard of Irishtown and set up their home in Grande Digue welcoming 6 sons between 1963 and 1967. In 1968, he was offered a managerial position with the company which required him to relocate his young family to Bathurst. A seventh son was born in 1971. Conscious of the opportunities not available to him growing up, he strongly impressed upon them the importance of an education and provided them the funding needed to pursue their ambitions all while teaching them the importance of hard work, respect, honesty and persistence. He enjoyed his many friends in the company and the people he served. Renovating and spending summers at the old homestead in Grande Digue became his and Louise’s passion and preserved a link to his family’s roots. This became a gathering place for both family and friends. Watching his children grow into their chosen career paths and starting families on their own brought him great pride and pleasure. Wishing to take part in one of his son’s dreams, he decided to embark in a family venture which led to the establishment of the Nectar Cuisine International restaurant in Bathurst for which he enjoyed the time spent with his sons.
He leaves behind after 55 years of marriage, the love of his life Louise, sons John (Sonia Ahier) of Bathurst, Lewis (Doreen Bourgeois) of St-Anselm, Paul of Montreal, Marc (Suzanne Albert) of Moncton, Roland (Chantal Godin), Ronald (Melanie Dupuis) and Guy (Heather Manning) all of Bathurst, his beloved grandchildren Pierre, Sylvie, Madeleine, Marilou, Jacob, Sarah Jasmine, Catherine, Noah, and Caleb as well as numerous brothers and sisters in law, nieces and nephews, as well as cherished friends. He was pre deceased by his father Jean, mother Beatrice Leger, and brother Eric, and four other brothers and sisters who died in infancy. The void he leaves behind is great but his sons and family will always be grateful for the values he instilled; his kindness, honesty, generosity, respect for others and devotion to family and faith will assure that his memory will live on.
The family is very grateful to all the help and support received from the friends, staff and doctors at the Chaleur Regional Hospital. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that gifts in his memory be made to the Chaleur Regional Hospital Foundation, or La Societee Historique de Grande Digue.
The family will receive friends and relatives at Elhatton’s Funeral Home (www.elhatton.com) on Monday, January 23, 2017 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 11 a.m. from Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Bathurst.
