Ronald A LeBlanc

Cumberland - Ronald Alphonse LeBlanc, 59, of Cumberland Center, Maine, passed away at home on Friday, February 27, 2015. Born in Meteghan Centre, Nova Scotia to the late Alphonse and Cecile (Thibedeau) LeBlanc, he lived most of his life in the United States, becoming a citizen on June 15th, 1964.

Ronald will be remembered for his quick wit, bad jokes, sparkling eyes and sense of fun. He met you with a hug and a smile. His fondness for adventure and truly loving spirit will not be forgotten. Ronald attended schools in Nova Scotia and the US, obtaining a degree in computer technology. He married Thea in December 1986. They had a son together, Crispen, and though they later divorced Ron and Thea remained good friends. Through this marriage he became a forever stepfather to her children, Micah and Maija.

Ronald was a well-known builder in the Portland area. He enjoyed the hard work and craftsmanship he was able to produce. In 2006, he went to Antarctica to help support the McMurdo Research Station in the South Pole. He then went on to work in New Orleans helping to rebuild homes after Hurricane Katrina.

Ronald enjoyed traveling and loved nature. Early in life he was a cyclist and runner, and had many other outdoor adventures, including hiking across the US in the summer of 1981. Camping and hiking were his passions, which he shared with Crispen, Micah, and Micah’s father, David, who also became a dear friend. He led camping trips with the Boy Scouts for Crispen, and travelled to Newfoundland in 2003 to hike, camp and sleep in cemeteries with Micah. The yearly camping trip to Jefferson with his extended Hilton family, where the best time to fish was always three in the morning, was a treasured tradition. Ron’s nieces and nephew shared another annual adventure with Ron with their yearly trip to Clare County: from the time the tires hit Canadian pavement, the windows opened, the Acadian flags came out and they didn’t stop honking the horn until they reached Tante Edith’s. They explored Smugglers Cove and had bonfires on the beach with Ron and family.

Ron also spent many nights camping kayaking around the islands of Casco Bay meeting people who became lifelong friends, and he said that one of the happiest times in his life was his magical weekend trip to Penobscot Bay. He treasured his time on the water while kayaking with his friend, Kim Schroeter, thankful for finding a kayaking partner who “could put up with him.” They went on numerous trips with the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club.

He was an avid traveler and went to many places including Japan, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and New Zealand. But when not outdoors he could be found playing a game of cribbage with Micah, David, and other dear friends.

Ron lived to embarrass his children and took every opportunity to do so. He was known to hop on the school bus with his pants hiked up above his navel and yell, “I’m Crispen LeBlanc’s dad!” He would make the kids “beg” for food at restaurants. Ron’s fashion decisions were enough to make Maija hide her head when out in public. Driving in the car, he would yell Micah’s phone number out the window at pretty girls, to get him a date. He would pop out his belly to match Maija’s pregnant one and anyone else’s. He might even wave to you from the porch wearing nothing but a t-shirt and a smile.

Ronald is survived by his son Crispen LeBlanc, Crispen’s wife Mika; stepdaughter Maija Comeau and her husband Keith; stepson Micah Hilton and his partner Tanya Arens; three grandchildren, Marcus, Hunter and Chase; two sisters; Mariette LeBlanc, Simone Rogan and her husband Paul; a nephew Paul and two nieces; Monique and Justine. He is also survived by his beloved Tante Edith of Nova Scotia.

His family and friends will forever mourn the loss of this great man. Per his request a memorial will be held at a later date in Nova Scotia along St. Mary’s Bay. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Ron’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family.

If you would like to honor him in some way, donations can be made to any of the many organizations he was involved with such as Ripple Effect, Habitat for Humanity, or The Pine Tree Society.