James C. LeRoy

LeRoy, James Charles – 83, Halifax, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in the company of his loving family in his last moments. Born in Fourmies, France in, 1926 to the late Roger and Jeanne (née Leurquin) LeRoy, James is survived by his family in Halifax including his wife and best friend of 62 years Monette (née Charlet); daughters Dominique (Jean) Ténière and Catherine LeRoy; son Patrick-James LeRoy; grandsons Paul (Jennifer), currently in New Zealand, and René (Noelle); and great-grandchildren Lauren and David. Trained as a pharmacist in France, James served in the Free French Army. James first met his wife Monette at “Les Étangs des Moines” in Fourmies. They married in 1947 and started a family with the arrival of Dominique in 1948. Faced with the bleak economic landscape that was post-war Europe, James sought a better life for his young family and in 1952 landed at Pier 21 ahead of them – with no job and a little English, but armed with intelligence, humour, ambition, youthful energy, and an extremely strong work ethic. With a growing family, no job was too big or too small for James and he led a full life. His first job in Halifax was working in a bakery, then later as a stevedore and labourer. During those busy years, James found time to pursue his love of music, performing as a violonist with the Halifax Sinfoniette – a position he enjoyed from 1953 until he established his own business J. C. LeRoy Painting and Decorating in 1955. Over the years James was active in several communities and organizations including the Halifax Gyro Club, where he served in a number of roles including President. Ever the astute and successful businessman, James maintained a wide range of interests throughout his life and had a genuine interest for people and their accomplishments. A true renaissance man, he enjoyed playing the violin, bridge games, cribbage, brain teaser puzzles, improving his personal best with the Rubik’s cube (we’d always time him), singing, joke telling, and regaling us all with stories of his youth. He loved his family and the time we spent together – around the dinner table, at home in Jollimore and especially at the cottage in Marie Joseph. Sharp to the last, James was the kind of man that anyone would be proud to count as a friend. He had a true moral compass and sense of what was right; a razor-sharp wit, a dry sense of humour and he was an intelligent, compassionate and responsible man. Never without an opinion, question, anecdote or story, James successfully challenged himself and others throughout his life. His integrity and the values he instilled in his children and others are his enduring legacy. We will miss him dearly. Visitation and service to take place at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, NS, B3S 0E1. Visitation will be held Monday June 21st at 6:00 – 9:00 pm. Funeral Service to take place Tuesday, June 22nd at 10:00 am with Rev. Carson Baxter officiating.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Diabetes Association. On line condolences may also be offered at: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com