Obituary for Roger C. LeBlanc
Roger Camille LeBlanc, 80, of Enfield, devoted husband of Mary (Linehan) LeBlanc, peacefully passed away at home on Sunday, September 4, 2022. He was born in Fitchburg, MA on July 17, 1942, son of the late Camille Joseph LeBlanc and Edmee (Doiron) LeBlanc. Roger earned a degree in Education at Fitchburg State University, where he met Mary, his wife of fifty-seven years.
Roger led a full life, dedicated to his family, career, community, and faith. He taught in Longmeadow for thirty-nine years, teaching English for thirty-eight years at Longmeadow High School. In addition to teaching, he was a baseball and soccer coach, Key Club adviser, Yearbook adviser, and a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. "Rog" also made special appearances at the school pep rallies, student vs. faculty sporting events, and variety shows. He was known for the "I Care" button that he wore every day, but especially for how he lived up to that promise, committing to each student in the classroom and beyond. His family joked that they couldn't go anywhere in New England without running into a current or former student, many of whom proclaimed Mr. LeBlanc to be their most impactful teacher ever.
Roger retired from teaching in 2003 and began volunteering at local organizations, including the Enfield Food Shelf, the ERfC Summer Lunch Bunch, Tonight in Thompsonville, the Enfield Hunger Action Team, and as a mentor to elementary school children. In 2013, Roger was recognized for completing 15,000 hours of local community service (averaging 30 hours per week). When asked why he volunteered so much, Roger replied "For me, it's the right thing to do. I have some ability to make a difference in the lives of people and that makes a lot of sense to me."
Roger was also a devoted and faithful parishioner at St. Patrick's Church in his later years and a former lector at St. Martha's Church.
At home, Roger enjoyed going to breakfast, dinner and the theater with Mary and their good friends, especially their decades-long New Year's Eve dinner tradition. He also enjoyed yardwork and maintained a meticulous lawn, despite it being the home field for all neighborhood wiffle ball, kickball and soccer games. He played golf for many years with his friend Ernie, often teeing off at Grassmere before the groundskeeper had arrived. He had fond memories of a "grand" trip to Ireland with Mary, his sister-in-law, and two brothers-in-law.
Roger especially enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren in Suffield, Evanston and the family beach house in Charlestown, RI, as well as attending their many sports and school events. He adored his grandchildren, and the feeling was mutual. Grandpa was always available for reading a story, playing catch, a game of Uno, or a 5:00 a.m. trip to Dunkin' Donuts to get a breakfast surprise for the kids.
In addition to his beloved wife Mary, Roger is survived by his children, Jonathan LeBlanc of Enfield, Elizabeth Sheikh and her husband David of Evanston, IL, and Kathryn Fawthrop and her husband Gerald of Suffield; and his grandchildren, Daniel, Samuel, and Molly Sheikh, and Camille Fawthrop. He is also survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bob and Patty Linehan. He leaves nieces and nephews and their families: Beth Linehan, Mike and Linda Linehan, David and Mary Linehan, Bill and Karen King, Keith and Sue Parzych, and Dan and Anne Linehan. He also leaves close friends Bill and Mary Ann Lucia, Sue Walter, and Ed and Teresa Mastella.
Besides his parents, Roger was predeceased by his mother-in-law, Ann Linehan, a brother-in-law, Jerry Linehan, and a nephew, Raymond Linehan.
Services will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at St Patrick Church, 64 Pearl Street, Enfield. Donations in Roger's memory may be made to the Enfield Food Shelf, 786 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT 06082, or via their website at www.EnfieldFoodShelf.org – Ensuring no Enfield family in need is without food assistance. For online condolences, please visit www.leetestevens.com.
Roger led a full life, dedicated to his family, career, community, and faith. He taught in Longmeadow for thirty-nine years, teaching English for thirty-eight years at Longmeadow High School. In addition to teaching, he was a baseball and soccer coach, Key Club adviser, Yearbook adviser, and a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. "Rog" also made special appearances at the school pep rallies, student vs. faculty sporting events, and variety shows. He was known for the "I Care" button that he wore every day, but especially for how he lived up to that promise, committing to each student in the classroom and beyond. His family joked that they couldn't go anywhere in New England without running into a current or former student, many of whom proclaimed Mr. LeBlanc to be their most impactful teacher ever.
Roger retired from teaching in 2003 and began volunteering at local organizations, including the Enfield Food Shelf, the ERfC Summer Lunch Bunch, Tonight in Thompsonville, the Enfield Hunger Action Team, and as a mentor to elementary school children. In 2013, Roger was recognized for completing 15,000 hours of local community service (averaging 30 hours per week). When asked why he volunteered so much, Roger replied "For me, it's the right thing to do. I have some ability to make a difference in the lives of people and that makes a lot of sense to me."
Roger was also a devoted and faithful parishioner at St. Patrick's Church in his later years and a former lector at St. Martha's Church.
At home, Roger enjoyed going to breakfast, dinner and the theater with Mary and their good friends, especially their decades-long New Year's Eve dinner tradition. He also enjoyed yardwork and maintained a meticulous lawn, despite it being the home field for all neighborhood wiffle ball, kickball and soccer games. He played golf for many years with his friend Ernie, often teeing off at Grassmere before the groundskeeper had arrived. He had fond memories of a "grand" trip to Ireland with Mary, his sister-in-law, and two brothers-in-law.
Roger especially enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren in Suffield, Evanston and the family beach house in Charlestown, RI, as well as attending their many sports and school events. He adored his grandchildren, and the feeling was mutual. Grandpa was always available for reading a story, playing catch, a game of Uno, or a 5:00 a.m. trip to Dunkin' Donuts to get a breakfast surprise for the kids.
In addition to his beloved wife Mary, Roger is survived by his children, Jonathan LeBlanc of Enfield, Elizabeth Sheikh and her husband David of Evanston, IL, and Kathryn Fawthrop and her husband Gerald of Suffield; and his grandchildren, Daniel, Samuel, and Molly Sheikh, and Camille Fawthrop. He is also survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bob and Patty Linehan. He leaves nieces and nephews and their families: Beth Linehan, Mike and Linda Linehan, David and Mary Linehan, Bill and Karen King, Keith and Sue Parzych, and Dan and Anne Linehan. He also leaves close friends Bill and Mary Ann Lucia, Sue Walter, and Ed and Teresa Mastella.
Besides his parents, Roger was predeceased by his mother-in-law, Ann Linehan, a brother-in-law, Jerry Linehan, and a nephew, Raymond Linehan.
Services will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at St Patrick Church, 64 Pearl Street, Enfield. Donations in Roger's memory may be made to the Enfield Food Shelf, 786 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT 06082, or via their website at www.EnfieldFoodShelf.org – Ensuring no Enfield family in need is without food assistance. For online condolences, please visit www.leetestevens.com.