Published in the September 16, 2016 edition
MELROSE — Paul R. LeBlanc, retired firefighter for the City of Melrose, and a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, September 11, at age 80.
Paul was born in Everett on August 26, 1936, one of two sons of the late Edmund S. LeBlanc and Anna C. (Surette) LeBlanc. He was raised in Everett until the family moved to Melrose where he graduated from Melrose High School.
Paul served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1961 until his honorable discharge in 1964. He then became a dedicated, hard-working, and loyal firefighter for the City of Melrose from 1969 until his retirement in 2000.
In 1977, in addition to working on the Fire Department, he started Larry’s Oil in Melrose and continued to operate it, until his son, Larry, took over. He was stationed at fire headquarters on Main Street for most of his career, and then at Engine 2 on Tremont Street.
Wherever he was, Paul was well-liked and one of the guys. He was a reliable and well respected presence, but kept everyone guessing with his wry sense of humor. Over the course of his 30 year career, Paul made several close, lifelong friends on the Fire Department and enjoyed time together with fellow firefighters every year at Billy’s Camp in Colebrook, NH.
Paul was a man with well-established, traditional values that centered his life. He woke up early and started every morning at the local coffee shop. He then worked hard, with two full time jobs, and still made it home for family dinner every night.
Strong family values were a requirement for his children, and subsequently his grandchildren. He took great pride in his home and his property, and the pool in the backyard served as a gathering place for family parties, and events. Every year for 20 years, vacations were to Bermuda for rest and relaxation overlooking the ocean with Mary.
From a young age, Paul learned the importance of hard work and family from his parents, as he helped operate the family business, LeBlanc’s Pharmacy in Melrose. Fiercely loyal and protective of those he loved, he was able to balance two fulltime jobs, and still make family most important. Truly a great guy, Paul was kind, sincere, gentle and most importantly humble. Paul will be dearly missed, but his legacy will be the example he set, and the love that he leaves behind.
Paul was the beloved husband of Mary K. (Hunewill) LeBlanc with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. He was the devoted father of Lawrence E. LeBlanc and his fiancé Jeanne Callahan of North Reading, Paula M. Maloney and her husband Shawn of Wakefield, Lisa A. Jendrysik and her husband Ted of Marblehead, and the late Michele LeBlanc. He was the dear brother of the late Alton LeBlanc. He was the cherished grandfather of Jessica Busby of FL, Brian Cotter of North Reading, Dennis Cotter of North Reading, Sara Maloney and her husband Patrick Flint of San Diego, CA, MacKenzie Maloney of New York City, Sam Jendrysik of Marblehead, and Nate Jendrysik of Marblehead.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Paul’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, September 15, from 4-8 p.m., and again on Friday at 8 a.m. before leaving in procession to St. Mary’s Church, Herbert St., Melrose for his funeral Mass celebrated at 9 a.m.
Interment with military honors by the U.S. Army at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.
For online tribute, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com
