LeBLANC, Roland Joseph

It is with sorrow yet a deep sense of peace that we announce the passing of Roland LeBlanc on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at the age of 82 years. Born on April 9, 1935 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Roland lived a full and compassionate life. Honouring his Cape Breton background, Roland was always ready for a game of cards or a coffee and chat. He was a great friend, a consummate storyteller, and completely dedicated to his faith, family and serving the community. He was wonderfully generous with his time, a creative problem solver and self-taught handy man for all of his daughters. He made many beautiful keepsakes through his talents of crocheting and needlepoint pursued later in life. Roland is survived by daughters April and husband Scott (Caleb, Bethany), Arlene and partner Larry, Colleen (James, Michelle), Stephanie and husband Bruce (Sarah, Kendra, Daniel), Carolyn and husband Peter (Justine, Tim), Suzanne and husband Andy (Simon, Michaela, Zachary), Alexia and husband Garnet (Madeline, Avary, Seth), Mary and husband Dave (Abby, Josephine), sisters Celeste, Elaine, Marguerite, Sister Therese and brother Paul. He was predeceased by his wife Vera LeBlanc (nee Nastasiuk), his parents James and Caroline, and brothers Claude and Armand. Surrounded by his loving family, we celebrate his life with us as a devoted father to his eight daughters and cherished granddad to his seventeen grandchildren. Family and friends will be received at Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley Street, Barrie, on Wednesday November 22, from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated the next day on Thursday November 23, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 65 Amelia Street, Barrie starting at 10 am. A reception will follow the Mass. Following the reception, interment will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Barrie. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, through St Mary’s Catholic Church, and are greatly appreciated. A special thank you is extended to the compassionate and caring staff of the Ellington and St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Guelph.