Eugène "Gene" LeBlanc, 86, of Moncton, formerly of Shediac, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at the Veterans Health Care Centre in Moncton, NB on December 2nd, 2021.
Born in Moncton, Eugène was the son of the late Edouard and Lea (Drisdelle) LeBlanc and the husband of 60 years to the late Thérèse LeBlanc.
Gene was predeceased by his brothers: Camille, Donald, Ernest, Raymond, Acade, Emery and Léandre as well as his sister, Doris.
Dad liked to spend his mornings enjoying his toast with jam. Then, he would head to the Legion to have "a beer" during his daily visit with his Legion family. Gene enjoyed watching Judge Judy, Judge Mathis, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune while doing Sudoku and Word Search during the commercial breaks. He enjoyed vacationing in the Maritimes as well as Florida after retirement. He lived for golf and enjoyed lawn bowling, reading, and playing cards. Gene’s love for Spaghetti was one of a kind.
Major LeBlanc "Chalky" joined the RCAF in 1954 and trained as an airframe technician in Camp Borden, Ontario. In 1956, while serving in Bagotville, Québec, he remustered to the pilot classification and was trained at Centralia, ON, Penhold, AB and Portage la Prairie, MB. Upon receipt of his pilot wings, he was employed as an interceptor pilot on the CF-100 Canuck in St. Hubert, QC. His next posting was to Comox, BC, as an electronic warfare pilot where he remained until 1964. The following three years were spent in Moncton, NB as a civilian.
He rejoined the RCAF in 1967 and was employed as a flying instructor T-33 Silver Star in Gimli MB. From 1970 to 1974, he flew the Star Fighter in Baden-Soellingen, West Germany. Major LeBlanc served in Bathurst, NB as Recruiting Detachment Commander from 1974 to 1977, then returned to flying duties on the CH-118 Iroquois helicopter as Officer Commanding Base Rescue Flight in Bagotville, QC. In 1985, he moved to St. Margarets, NB, to become the Commanding Officer of the Satellite Identification and Tracking Unit. In April 1987, he took on the added responsibility of Commanding Officer of 21 Radar Squadron and Detachment Commander of St. Margarets, NB. Chalky retired in 1989.
Gene was never one to complain when asked how he was doing. He would always say: "Everything is just great" or "Just fantastic". He would always say he is "doing the very best".
Dad will be sadly missed by his two daughters: Lise Senterfitt (Tony) of Lynn Haven, Florida, and Lynn Zotter (Werner) of St. Laurent, MB; his four grandchildren: Jeremy, Brooke, Joel and Ronda; his great grandson, Deegan; several nieces and nephews, his many friends of the 55 Plus Providence Residence where he resided for 30 years and his Legion family. He is also survived by his sisters: Béatrice and Marguerite who both reside in Montreal, QC.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Dr. Georges-L. Dumont UHC for the care provided as well as the Veterans Health Care Centre. A special thanks to Eugène’s niece, Diane, for the love and care she provided during the last few years.
The funeral will be held at the St-Joseph R. C. Church, 415 Main Street, Shediac, on Tuesday, December 7th, 2021, at 11am. There will be no visitation. Due to the new regulations, face covering is mandatory, and proof of vaccination and government issued identification card will be required to enter the funeral centre and the church.
In memory of Gene, a contribution to a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated.
Cremation and funeral arrangements are under the direction of Frenette Funeral and Cremation Centre, Shediac (532-3297).
Words of comfort and online condolences may be forwarded through our website at: www.frenettefuneralhome.com