Leo F. LaBrache

Watertown – Deacon Leo F. LaBrache, of Watertown, formerly of Waltham, died Sunday, May 17, 2015 at Lahey Clinic in Burlington. He was 87.

Deacon Leo was born in Marlborough on January 9, 1928, a son of the late Albert O. and Alida (Lariviere) LaBrache, and was a graduate of Marlborough High School. During the Korean War he served with the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

After his discharge from the service he graduated from the Cambridge School of Radio Broadcasting and worked in radio for a time before becoming the manager of marketing and advertising for BLH Electronics in Waltham. After that he held the same position for American Optical, also in Waltham, and handled all of their trade shows throughout the country.

For a number of years he managed 'The Village' in Watertown and oversaw what was then a new concept in real estate, the conversion of the housing development from apartments to condominiums.

In 1979 Deacon Leo was part of the second graduating class of the diaconate program of the Archdiocese of Boston and was ordained by Humberto Cardinal Medeiros in Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Newton.

His assignments included Saint Jude's in Waltham, Saint Theresa's in Watertown, Our Lady of the Presentation Parish in Brighton and, until his retirement, Saint Patrick's Parish in Watertown. He also served as the chaplain for Saint Francis of the Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus Council No. 14091 in Waltham.

Deacon Leo leaves his beloved wife of fifty-six years, Frances M. (Cotoia) LaBrache; his children, Paul LaBrache and his wife, Janice (Guelli), Denise Marini and her husband, Larry, and John LaBrache, all of Waltham; his grandchildren, Nicolas and Danielle Marini and Ryan and Jennifer LaBrache and many nieces and nephews.

He was also the brother of the late Irene Otis and Doris Keyser.

Family and friends will honor and remember Deacon Leo's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, May 21st from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Patrick's Church, 212 Main Street, Watertown where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Patrick's Parish, 26R Chestnut Street, Watertown, MA 02472.