J. Louis G. LeBlanc

J. Louis LeBlanc, 82, of New Bedford, died peacefully on Saturday November 12, 2022 at Saint Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford after an extended illness. He was the devoted husband of Claudette (Gautreau) LeBlanc for fifty-six years and the son of the late Ernest and Loretta (Pontbriand) LeBlanc.

Born in New Bedford on January 6, 1940, Louis lived in the City his entire life. He grew up in the North End when French was spoken as much as English and was fluent in French. He graduated from Saint Anthony High School New Bedford in 1957 and received his Bachelor’s degree from the then New Bedford Institute of Technology (now UMass Dartmouth). While at New Bedford Tech, he was a member of the Delta Kappa Phi fraternity. Louis graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the Portia Law School (now New England Law) in Boston in 1966. He practiced law in his own law office in New Bedford for over fifty years concentrating his practice in real estate and estates. He was well respected and liked in the New Bedford legal community.

Louis was one of the youngest persons elected to the New Bedford City Council at the age of 21. Louis later was elected the State’s House of Representatives in 1964 representing the North End of New Bedford. He was a tireless legislator who enjoyed the rough and tumble of state politics on Beacon Hill and helping constituents. He rose rapidly in the leadership ranks and served many years as the Chair of the House’s Judiciary Committee. He was proud of the work in he did in Boston. He played large roles in the establishment of the Martin Luther King holiday and the State’s allowing chiropractors to practice in Massachusetts. He was at the forefront of many important issues throughout the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Louis surprised everyone when, at the age of 34, in 1974, he retired from the House and politics to spend time with his growing young family and to practice law.

In later years, Louis served as one of the Election Commissioners for New Bedford where he helped flawlessly run multiple City, State and Federal Elections. His calling out the vote returns interspersed with humor was well known in political circles. He especially liked calling out write-in candidates like Mickey Mouse. For many years, Louis served on the Board of Directors for Saint Luke’s Hospital. He also served on boards for the New Bedford Five Cents Savings Bank and was a longtime director of Compass Bank until its sale.

Louis was an active parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima in New Bedford for many years. He served on the Parish Council, Finance Council, Saint Vincent DePaul Society and the Couples Club. For his many years of service, he was a recipient of the Marian Medal from the Bishop of Fall River.

Louis was a legend to all who knew him professionally and personally. He was kind and generous. He was a born stand-up comedian and raconteur and was known for his many jokes and stories. He was always ready with a smile and joke and was always the life the party. His humor was infectious and those who experienced it have their own stories to cherish. His performances at social events of the New Bedford Bar Association are still remembered fondly today.

Louis was a passionate golfer. He prowled the fairways and greens of the New Bedford Country Club where he was a member for many years until taken ill. He annually played in the Satellite Tournament of the Country Club’s Fourball and won several trophies in it. To his many golfing buddies, Louis was a “bandit.” Despite his golf handicap, when money was on the line, he somehow played like Tiger Woods especially on the putting green. Many a pocket was picked clean by Louis after a match. He would often be found in the Club’s Grille doing what he did best; telling jokes and stories and making everyone laugh. He was an avid fan of the Red Sox and could often be found most summer nights watching the Red Sox and laughing with his friends Jerry Remy and Don Ursillo.

Louis is survived by his wife, and his children, Michelle LeBlanc-Murray and her husband Atty. Michael Murray of Acushnet, MA; Marc LeBlanc and his wife Emilie of Forest Park, Illinois; Rochelle Peterson and her husband Michael Peterson of West Bridgewater; and Andrea Tieuli and her husband Jason Tieuli of Cumberland, R.I. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren, Matthew and Michaela Murray, Alex Genevieve and Karoline LeBlanc, Sean and Audrey Peterson; and Peter and Elizabeth Tieuli; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Deacon Claude LeBlanc. Louis will be missed by all that knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in J. Louis honor may be made to: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-1905.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 18, 2022 at 10:00AM in St. Gabriel of the Arch Angel, 343 Tarkiln Hill Rd., New Bedford, MA 02745. Visitation Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00PM in the ROCK FUNERAL HOME, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford, MA 02745. Burial in Pine Grove Cemetery. To leave a note of condolence: www.rock-funeralhome.com