On November 8, 2024, Raymond B. LeBlanc, 84, of South Burlington, passed away with his loving family by his side. He was born on March 4, 1940, in Winooski, Vt., the second of four sons of Albert and Juliette (Dion) LeBlanc. He grew up among family on Dion Street in Winooski and, after his school years, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He enjoyed eight years in the military, serving in the Alert Force and later in Special Instruments.
On leave early in his enlistment, he married his high school love, Joyce Letourneau, on December 16, 1961. Their three children were born during his Air Force years. After his discharge and moving back to Vermont to help family, he was chosen to represent State Farm Insurance with his agency in South Burlington, where he chose to live and raise his family. For almost 40 years, he enjoyed getting together with fellow agents and their families, some of whom became special friends for life.
As a people person, he treated everyone with a smile or joke to make them laugh. He was very generous and never hesitated to help family, friends and even strangers in need. He suffered for years with chronic back pain but continued to help wherever he was needed. He touched the lives of many young people by mentoring them in hockey and baseball as a coach, and then a referee and umpire. He taught them the games, but just as importantly, he taught them what good sportsmanship is.
He gave his children the gift of time spent with them. He provided his family with the opportunity to travel around our beautiful country in his motor homes. Those road trips through our country and parts of Canada are some of their treasured memories. He quietly sent care packages to our troops for five years during the Iraq War. In helping his “Binky” fill these boxes with carefully chosen items, his grandson, Evan, saw the importance of giving and helping others.
First and foremost was Ray’s faith and dedication to his church of St. Anthony’s. He felt blessed and honored to serve for many years as a Eucharistic minister. He helped in many ways and enjoyed seeing parishioners every week.
Ray’s survivors include his loving wife of almost 63 years; his daughter, Cathy (Karen Rounds) and their son, Evan; his son Robert “Todd” (Kim Irish) and their children, Alyx, Kyle, Ryan (Kysta) and Cole (Lauren); his son David (Sara Lavallee) and their children, Quinton (Gracie), Tatianna and Pyper; his great-grandchildren, Lucas and Lily (Ryan), Harper (Quinton) and Leah (Cole); his brothers, Roger and Richard (Barbara); his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Gail Green, Sue Metcalf (Don), Steve Letourneau, Debora Varnon (Dennis), Mark Letourneau; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors. He was predeceased by his parents and older brother, Robert.
Ray’s family would like to thank Carrie Steele and Joan O’Gorman for their loving care and support during his final days; his longtime physician whom he loved like a brother, Dr. Peter Gunther; and Mark Pitcher for his last months of care after Peter retired.
A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, 11 a.m., at St. Anthony, 305 Flynn Avenue, Burlington, Vt. A military service will take place at Resurrection Park cemetery, 200 Hinesburg Road, South Burlington, Vt.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation or the South Burlington Food Shelf .
This article appears in Dec 4-10, 2024.