Germain J. 'Germie' LeBlanc

On Tuesday, August 1, 2017 Germain and Rita LeBlanc were reunited in heaven. After 68 years of marriage, Rita died May 30, 2017 and just two months later Germain died at the Excel Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation in Lexington. He was 93.

Qu'ils reposent en paix tous les deux.

Born on August 19, 1923 in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia he was a son of the late John and Julia (Stubbert) LeBlanc. Lovingly known to family and friends are 'Germie' he was raised and educated in Cape Breton.

During World War II Germie served with Canadian Army and crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Mary. After landing in England his unit was sent to fight in Italy, France and Holland. Though wounded in action he spent the duration of the war in Europe.

When the war ended Germie returned home to marry his childhood sweetheart, Rita Rose, on August 29, 1949 in St. Michael Church in Margaree, Cape Breton in a double wedding with his sister, Theresa and her husband. They immigrated to the United States in 1955 where they settled in Waltham.

For over 55 years 'Gerry', as he was known to co-workers, was as a heavy equipment operator in construction for the Belli Family Construction businesses. He mastered the mechanics and maneuvering of the Gradall excavator and operated it as if it were as a teaspoon. He fully retired in 2004.

Family was everything to Germie and he was always busy helping everyone with projects at their homes. A favorite pastime was restoring antique steamer trunks and woodworking. He served as past president and lifetime member of the French-American Victory Club in Waltham.

He will be forever remembered for his few but infamous magic tricks and wonderful ability to tell stories. Later in life when memory faded and there wasn't something to say he would retreat to his now infamous saying 'Ding, Dang, Do'. He enjoyed a game of cribbage or cards and is now reunited with Rita on the dance floor they so enjoyed. Faithful communicants at the former Saint Joseph Church and now members of Our Lady's Church they attended Mass regularly and often would volunteer at Marist Hill Nursing Home. They enjoyed vacations to Florida and to their native Cape Breton.

In addition to his wife, Rita, he was predeceased by all of his siblings, Dennis, Freddy, Bernie, Eddie, Sadie and Mabel LeBlanc, Florence Tompkins, Katherine Delaney and Theresa C. Mosher.

He leaves his children, Doreen C. LeBlanc, Allan G. LeBlanc and his wife, Laurel, all of Waltham, Joseph L. LeBlanc and his wife, Marcella of Kitchener, Ontario, and Melvin F. LeBlanc and his wife, Lori of Dudley; his grandchildren, Jeff, Kristen, Brian, Justin, Daniel, Matthew and Michael; his great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Dylan, Mckenzie and Mason; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Germie's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, August 4th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial in Mount Feake Cemetery will be private.

Memorials in his name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452 or to Compassionate Care Hospice, 800 West Cummings Park, Suite 3100, Woburn, MA 01801.