Judge Donald J. LeBlanc

July 4, 2024

On Thursday, July 4, 2024, at the age of 74 and surrounded by his loving family, passed away Judge Donald J. LeBlanc, husband of the late Anathalie Desrosiers and partner of Jeanne-d'Arc Mallet.

In addition to his wife, he leaves to mourn his beloved children: Karine (Max Palasty) and Samuel; his sisters: Gisèle, Denise (Paul) and Claudette (Roland); his brother George, his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law from the Desrosiers family: Marie-Ange, Carmelle, Magella (Juliette), Pauline (Gary), Claudia (Paul-Emile), Martin (Claudia), Denise (Serge), Réjeanne, Murielle, Claudine; from the Mallet family: Pierrette (Victor), Jean-Pierre, Jocelyne, Huguette, Sylvie (Gaētan), Alain (Françoise), Danielle (Paul) and Nathalie (Alain). He also leaves to mourn several nieces and nephews, his brother-in-law Job, as well as a very special friend, Denis Robichaud.

He was predeceased by his parents: Norman J. LeBlanc and Mary Hannan, Anathalie's parents: Alphonse and Marthe Desrosiers, Joan of Arc's parents: Richard and Gertrude Mallet, three brothers-in-law: Victorin, Jacques and Roland as well as three sisters-in-law: Marguerite, Linda and Claudette.

In 1971, Donald completed a Bachelor of Commerce from the Université de Moncton and in 1974, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick . He practiced law from 1975 to 2000, mainly in the Acadian Peninsula, and on April 13, 2000, he was appointed a judge of the Provincial Court of New Brunswick. In April 2015, he elected the status of supernumerary judge and continued to exercise his functions until shortly before his death.

Prior to his appointment to the bench, Donald was involved in the Richelieu Club of Caraquet and for many years, he coached the Caraquet baseball and hockey teams. He loved sports, especially football and baseball and during his university studies, he was a member of the soccer team.

From a very young age, Donald developed a passion for stamp collecting and maintained this interest throughout his life. He founded the Acadian Peninsula Stamp Club and wrote numerous articles for the Canadian Philatelist magazine. In 1998, the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada awarded him the Geldert Medal for Philatelic Authorship . He also published articles in the George Six Study Group of the British North America Society ( BNAPS ). Since 2020, he has published two major reference books on Canadian stamp collecting. A third book has been completed and is expected to be published shortly. Donald was also a supporter of arts and culture and a keen collector of fine art and antiques.

Throughout his career Donald was highly regarded by his colleagues and staff. He was always there when asked to get involved in community or professional activities. His passing will leave a great void for his family, friends and all those who had the opportunity to know him.

The family would like to thank Dr. Jacques Mallet and the nephrology team at the Chaleur Regional Hospital and particularly the Extra-mural team of Caraquet who followed him throughout his fight.

The family will receive relatives and friends starting Thursday, July 11 at 7 p.m. at the Coopérative funéraire La Colombe in Caraquet (49 rue du Portage). The funeral will take place on Friday, July 12 at 11 a.m. at the St-Pierre aux-liens church in Caraquet.

Visiting hours: Thursday, July 11 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. until departure for the funeral

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Sister “Cécile Renault Inc. Foundation (an organization that was very close to her heart) or to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the professional care of the Coopérative funéraire “La Colombe” Ltée.