Tom LeBlanc
Our precious Dad, Tom passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on Friday, July 25, 2024 at the age of 76 years old. His sense of humour was with him right until the end.
Dad will be missed deeply by his wife Nancy, son Donny (Val) and daughter Kristen (Jeff). He will also be missed by his grandchildren Madison, Keleigh, Brady and his bonus grandson Tyler. Tom was the son of Patrick and Margeurite LeBlanc and was one of seven children. He was predeceased by his brothers Robert and Raymond and will be missed by his surviving siblings, Margaret (Marcel), Jim (Dorothy, deceased), Gerald (Karen), Kathy (Jim). Tom’s loss will also be felt by his sister-in-law’s Linda (Murray), Cathy (John), Wendy (Wayne) and Melissa (Chris). Tom was blessed to have 21 nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews. Words can not describe how many lives Tom has touched. This loss will be felt by many family members and friends.
Tom was born on June 4, 1948 in Belleterre, QC. Shortly after, his family bought a farm on Ravenscliffe Road in Huntsville, ON. Tom spent his childhood working farmer’s hours and was often found to be bouncing all over Huntsville on the family tractor. When not working, Tom could be found either terrorizing his 2 sisters or wrestling with his 4 brothers. He was introduced to the love of his life, Nancy Ouderkirk and their love story of 51 years began. Tom worked for a short time at the local charcoal plant before starting his forever job at Kimberly Clark where he advanced from a general duties position to later become a shift supervisor and one of the mill’s best machine operators. He retired in 2006 after 35 years of loyal service. During his early married years, Tom began to build their dream home on Muskoka Road 3. Tom’s hard work, determination and ingenuity proved to be invaluable as their beautiful home took shape.
To our Dad, family was EVERYTHING. Dad’s world revolved around his family and his deep love for his wife, children, their spouses and his precious grandchildren. He was an avid outdoors man. He enjoyed cutting wood and hunting in Lancelot, where he had a “little slice of heaven”. Our Dad believed in the old-fashioned ways and would cut, and hand split the winter’s wood every year which he would haul out of the bush with his home-made trailer and ATV. Dad also enjoyed spending hours in his boat, fishing the three Doe lakes in Katrine at Lillie Kup Campground, where he spent years camping with his family and friends. It was here that he taught his grandchildren how to fish, ride their bikes without training wheels and how to drive his boat. Dad could often be found building, tinkering and making MacGyver-like improvements wherever he went. In later years, the LeBlanc Hunt Camp was formed. Dad’s final farewell journey to Lancelot took place the week before he passed, and his heart was filled with fond memories.
Dad lived every moment to the fullest. Even though he is no longer here with us, we know that his legacy will live on with all of those who have been impacted by his love.
We would like to invite family and friends to honour Dad on Wednesday, July 31 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 1 High Street in Huntsville, Ontario. Visitation will begin at 10:00am with the funeral following at 11:00am in the sanctuary. Guests are invited to join us for a light lunch immediately following the service in the Goforth Hall (St. Andrew’s). In lieu of flowers, donations to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation and Hospice Huntsville would be greatly appreciated.