Leo "Frenchman" and "Butch" G. LeDuc Jr.

Leo G. LeDuc, Jr., 78, a lifelong resident of Keene, went to be with the love of his life on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2017. He passed away, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, from a long and courageous battle with heart disease. His family was by his side every step of the way.

He was born January 9, 1939 in his family home in Keene, the son of Bernadette E. (Gregoire) and George L. LeDuc. He attended area schools and began work at Pratt and Whitney in Connecticut following high school.

On July 11, 1970 he married Mary Ellen VanNess. She was the love of his life. They celebrated ten joyous years together before her passing in 1980.

Employed as a machinist for American Optical until their closing, Leo went on to work for Kingsbury and retired from MPB in Keene. He was a hard worker and spoke proudly of the work he performed.

Leo loved his family and was very proud of their accomplishments. He was a great provider. He took great care of the family home and could always be found doing yardwork, something that never seemed to end. He enjoyed the times when the entire family could be around to enjoy a fancy holiday dinner or a simple cookout.

Leo was a friend to everyone and known for his smile. He loved to tell stories and enjoyed listening to them more. He was a 50 plus year member of the Keene Elks where he was also known as ‘Frenchman’ or ‘Butch’. He enjoyed playing cards with his friends. His real passion was golf. He was a member at Brentwood Golf course in Keene. He enjoyed everything there was about golf. He loved the courses, the tournaments, the ‘Wednesday’ group outings, but most of all the family and friends he played with. He wanted everyone to love the sport as much as him. He even passed down some wisdom to his grandchildren.

Leo will be greatly missed by his daughter: Beth LeDuc of Keene; son: Charley LeDuc and his wife Jennifer of Rumford, ME; grandchildren: Ellie, Alice, and Henry LeDuc; sisters: Theresa Walsh of Twin Lake, MI, and Adele Podwin of Winter Haven, FL; nephew: Billy Brooks and his wife Carol of Brewer, ME; and many friends and members of the Elk Lodge.

He is predeceased by his wife: Mary Ellen LeDuc; sisters: Claire Warren and Blanche Southwick; and brothers-in-law: Roger Warren, Dallas Southwick, Jim Walsh and Sid Podwin.

Family and friends are invited to call Monday, February 20, 2017 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Fletcher Funeral Home, 33 Marlboro Street, Keene, NH. A graveside service will be held in the spring at St. Joseph Cemetery in Keene.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Leo’s name to the Elks Scholarship Fund (www.Elks.org).