Basile’s Obituary
LEBLANC, Basile Joseph, passed away very peacefully at the Valley Regional Hospital, on December 31, 2021 with his daughter by his side. Born on October 23, 1927, he was one of 11 children of the late Alphonse and Laïse (LeBlanc) LeBlanc of Concessions. He is survived by his son, Randy LeBlanc, and Connie (Ron) Robichaud, 2 granddaughters, and 4 great-grandchildren. He is pre-deceased by Dorothy, his loving wife of 51 years, and by 7 of his siblings.
Sailor. Inventor. Storyteller. In 1941, at 14 years old, “Le P’tit Concessions” loaded his travel trunk on the train to Halifax to board a Merchant Marine Ship. His seafaring adventures took him from coast to coast, throughout the world.
He remained at sea for several years, until he met the love of his life, Dorothy, on furlough. You’d think that after they tied the knot in August 1953, he’d be grounded on land for good! Alas, there must have been sea water flowing in his veins, because he soon bought a lobster fishing boat. In the early 1960’s, he boarded the Lady Louise, one of Comeau’s Seafoods scallop fishing vessels as her galley cook for 13 years.
My grandfather Alphonse owned a rustic camp on several acres of land on a point in Concessions. Basile built his own lakefront cottage in 1967, a special haven where family and friends would gather for feast, friendship and fun. Most likely, Basile, donning an apron, was at the center of it all, drink of Carioca rum in one hand, a Players cigarette in the other, slow-cooking the BBQ chicken to perfection over hot coals and telling stories. He fed and entertained a lot of people in the Clare area and abroad. He’d say, “Feed the children first, and if there’s not enough for us, then we’ll pour ourselves another drink.” Needless to say, everyone always left our cottage with full tummies!
Basile was born in an era where men were tough, and hard physical labor was the norm. In between his sea-faring adventures, he toiled as an apple picker in the Annapolis Valley, a coal miner in St. John, NB, and as a logger for Bowater Mersey Paper Company (Tupper) in Liverpool. A jack of all trades, he was blessed with the stamina, resilience and common sense essential to make a decent livelihood and support his family. The final 17 years of his long work career was with Fisheries and Oceans, Conservation Branch in Yarmouth. Following retirement at age 63, he and Dorothy enjoyed cottage life and yearly trips to the Citadel Inn in Halifax.
Basile loved playing cribbage, planting a huge garden and woodworking. He built a lathe to turn spindles and sold several handcrafted spinning wheels and wooden bowls. He also built several rocking chairs which rocked many generations on our cottage porch. If he couldn’t find a piece of equipment, he would invent and build one. And he definitely enjoyed playing cribbage with his buddies at Foyer Celeste!
Our family wishes to express a very special thank you to the compassionate and devoted staff of Foyer Celeste, Meteghan, Basile’s home for the past 9 years. Thanks to the nurses and physicians at both YRH and VRH for their excellent care and support, and to Dr. Dion Davidson, Dr. Dugas and VON.
Basile had a robust energy, the unapologetic, salty tongue of a true sailor, and a heart of gold. He retained a vivid memory and acute hearing until his last day. We believe that his secret to longevity was a positive attitude! Having spent the last 94 years on this earth, Basile calmly sailed away to celebrate New Years Eve with his darling Dorothy in Heaven.
Dad, you will be fondly remembered as a wonderful husband and a remarkable father who worked tirelessly to provide for our family, who extended his warm hospitality to family, friends and strangers alike, and, of course, graced us with your endless stories! Rest assured that your legacy will flourish in the hearts of your children, grand-children and great-grand-children. Rest in Peace, Dad, you have absolutely earned it! ♥
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of H.M. Huskilson’s Funeral Home, Yarmouth. Donations in his memory may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or charity of your choice. A Celebration of Life will be held in late spring. On-line condolences may be left for the family at www.huskilson.net
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Basile Joseph LeBlanc October 23 1927 December 31 2021..
H.M.Huskilson funeral homes and crematorium
Death notice for the town of: Yarmouth, Province: Nova Scotia