Shrewsbury – Larry LeBlanc, 69 years old, of Shrewsbury, passed away at his home on December 22, 2022, with family by his side. Larry was born on July 26, 1953, in Boston to Marjorie (O’Kane) LeBlanc and Lawrence LeBlanc.
Larry died after a tenacious battle against bladder cancer, and although his life was far too short, it was also incredibly well-lived.
Larry was a proud father, protective big brother, devoted son and nephew, favorite uncle, and a kind, fun, loving and supportive husband.
As the oldest of 4 children and the first of many O’Kane grandchildren, he took his role as tribe leader very seriously. At times falling victim to Larry’s pranks, the family adored him and looked up to him for leadership and guidance.
Professionally, Larry spent most of his life as a water treatment specialist working for companies such as Memtek in the early 80’s, Ocean State Power where he was a supervisor with 32 direct reports by the time, he was 36, and Siemens where he traveled all over the country to service municipal water treatment facilities. It was with Siemens that he met his love and soul mate Laura. However, he was a jack of all trades and master of many, learning welding with his uncle at Quincy Shipyard, and working with the carnival both as a welder and an operator of a game booth where he made sure every child won a prize.
Larry was an entrepreneurial spirit and an industrious businessman whose first company as a teenager was LeBlanc Brothers Painting where he used taxis to transport ladders to job sites. He was a founder of LeJofre Painting – although not exactly profitable, the founders had a lot of good times and no one got hurt. He later owned and operated a successful card and sports memorabilia store in Uxbridge and operated a business building his own water treatment systems.
As a long time, collector of things (starting with his very first stitches), he always had a side-hustle where he bought and resold various items at flea markets and on Ebay when Ebay was a fledgling company. Always two steps ahead of the game, he had an eye for things of value and rarely passed by a yard sale without ferreting out some odd gem that could be turned for a profit. Larry retired and embarked on a new adventure as owner of a vintage video game store, Lady Mo’s. His gregariousness, charm, charisma, honesty, and integrity earned him a following of regulars in a very short time. He loved and was loved by both his customers and his business partners, and he was particularly kind to his younger customers.
A lifelong fan of all New England sports, primarily the Patriots, Larry also tolerated his wife’s love of various New York teams. As Leo, Larry insisted that he had nine lives. His family, however, stopped counting at 15 or 16. In 2014, Larry was diagnosed with liver cancer. In 2016, he was given one of the greatest gifts that could be received when an anonymous family donated the organs of a deceased loved one. When Larry received his new liver, he made a mental promise to that family to honor their gift and to celebrate life every day – he certainly succeeded.
Larry was a natural leader and a bold, brave and fierce protector of all that he loved. Although Larry could exhibit a gruff and tough exterior when he needed to, those who loved him knew otherwise – he was a tough cookie with a very soft center. He made lifelong friends everywhere he went and never seemed to meet a stranger. He engaged people with ease and confidence whether he knew a person for 5 minutes or 5 years, and he relished making people laugh. He knew how to live life with both gratitude and generosity, and he never doubted how lucky he was in all aspects of his life. He truly loved life, found fun and humor every day, remained optimistic in times of darkness, and lived every minute like it mattered. In true Larry fashion, he died the way he lived – with humor, dignity, generosity, and bravery.
Larry is survived by his wife, best friend, and soul mate Laura, his three sons Lawrence, David and Michael who he shared with his former wife Eileen, his brother, buddy, and fellow flea marketeer Stephen, and his favorite adored sister Renee who became his champion when he could no longer be hers. A huge extended family and his beautiful black cat Frankie Presto will also hold him forever in their hearts. Larry was predeceased by his mother, his father, his brother and side kick Kevin, and his oldest friend Joe. He also leaves behind a huge posse of friends, customers, and countless others whose lives he changed forever.
The family would like to thank the staff of Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for providing love, compassion, and caring to both Larry and his family and made it possible for Larry to spend his final days at home. A huge thank you is also extended to Lady Mo’s family who worked hard to keep the store running successfully throughout Larry’s illness.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 28 from 12-2 pm with a service directly following visitation at the funeral home. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Donate Life New England, 60 First Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451.
Arrangements are entrusted to Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605.
