Richard Joseph LeBlanc

On February 5th, 2026, Richard Joseph LeBlanc died at the age of 95 while he was, in his own words, still young and good looking. Born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, he often spoke fondly of a childhood filled with things like setting off stolen munitions in fields with friends and pooping his pants while running home from the town fair. He escaped small-town life as a sewing machine salesman by joining the RCAF where he flew Sabre F-86 fighter jets with the 414 (Black Knights) Squadron and was part of Operation LEAP FROG. While stationed overseas, he met Edith, the love of his life. Against all odds, she saw something in him too, and they were married in Baden-Baden. They had a handful of kids in a handful of years, and over the next several years, Richard's career continued to soar, first as a Flying Instructor, then as a Civil Aviation Inspector, until finally he landed in Ottawa. There, he and his wife Edith welcomed a surprise extra kid and took up ballroom dancing, while Richard finished out the last leg of his career working in Aviation Safety for the Department of Transportation.

Like most men of his generation, he suffered from a painful lack of any ability whatsoever to put his emotions into words, but if he called you an idiot, or asked you what the hell you were thinking, wearing, or talking about, you held a special place in his heart. What he lacked in words, he made up for in action. He bailed his kids (and many a grandkid) out of tough situations countless times. He'd grumble, swear under his breath, ask what they needed, then he'd make it happen without another thought. He was the guy who mowed the lawns and shovelled the snow for all the neighborhood widows without ever being asked. During the Ice Storm of '98, he kept half the neighborhood's furnaces going with extension cords draped across the street. And for over a decade, he single-handedly cared for his wife as Alzheimers slowly stole her away. And when he could no longer manage it alone, he moved her into care, but he spent his days by her side, feeding her every meal so she'd never have to be alone.

He is predeceased by his wife Edith, his daughter Corinne, his son Richard, his grandson Adam, and his brother Gerald. He leaves behind two sons, Reigh (Doreen) and Norman (Sophie), and a daughter Christie. He also leaves behind an army of grandchildren: Alya, Aidan, Jessica, Denise, Julian, Alice, Ian, and Kacie, as well great-grandkids Brodie and Ciara.

His girls wish to thank the team at Thorncliffe Place for giving him a home where he felt safe and happy for his last few years. Special shout-out to Elma. You were his favourite.

At the request of the deceased (in the form of a very strong 'What the HELL would I want that for?!!') there will be no service. If you wish to honour his memory, enjoy a sour cream glazed from Timmy's and do something nice for someone just for the hell of it.

He was one of a kind, and his grumpy ass will be missed.