Leslie Joseph LeBlanc

Leslie Joseph LeBlanc, 93, a native of Donaldsonville and a long-time resident of Gonzales and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away Sunday, August 7, 2016 at Ollie Steele Burden Nursing Home. Born the seventh of thirteen children to Andrew and Laura Carbo LeBlanc of McCall Plantation in Donaldsonville on July 1, 1923, "Leslie J" was a loving son, brother, uncle, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all. He was a graduate of Donaldsonville High School, where he was a champion boxer. Leslie served in the Army during World War II and was an integral part of the D-Day Invasion in Normandy, France. As a welder, he designed and fabricated a modification in the field to enable tanks to successfully proceed through the difficult terrain and hedgerows. He was a welder for Ethyl Corporation for many decades while simultaneously running his own successful welding business, Goals and Poles. There are hundreds of Leslie J's swing sets, clothesline poles and basketball goals all over Baton Rouge. He was a devoted Catholic, and an avid gardener. He was known for his admirable work ethic and quick sense of humor, especially about the loss of his "thick, black, curly" hair. He is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 63 years, Shirley Braud LeBlanc; his son, Ernest Paul; and, numerous siblings. He is survived by: nine children and their spouses, Leslie Matthew, Thomas Marion, Annette Dawson and Don, Patrick Joseph and Joette, Kenneth James and Connie, Madeleine Shepherd and Tommy, Louis Gerald, Catherine Hunt and Donnie, Laura Brock and Brett; twenty-five grandchildren, Willa LeBlanc Hicks, Renee LeBlanc, Chris and Shelley LeBlanc, Amanda Cloessner, Vanessa Caillouet, Adrien and Andre LeBlanc, Gabe and Jude LeBlanc, Matthew, Mark, Samuel and Angela LeBlanc, Colin Shepherd, Alee Dixon, Andrew LeBlanc, Christine Sages, Adam Hunt, Sarah Cole, Joseph and Paul Hunt, Anthony, Austin and Aaron Brock; and, twenty great-grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Andrew LeBlanc of Donaldsonville and Betty Bourgeois of Baton Rouge. The entire LeBlanc family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Mrs. Martha Thompson for the care, love, kindness and support given to our father and grandfather. Visitation hours will be observed on Tuesday, August 9th, at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Visitation will resume on Wednesday August 10th at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 14040 Greenwell Springs Road from 9:30 a.m. until Mass at 11:00 a.m. Mass will be celebrated by Father Mike Moroney and Deacon Greg LeBlanc, nephew of deceased. Interment to follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Andre, Jude, Mark and Samuel LeBlanc; Adam, Joseph and Paul Hunt; and, Austin and Aaron Brock.

Arrangements under the direction of Greenoaks Funeral Home, Baton Rouge, LA.