Leo Joseph Thibodeau, 100, died peacefully at home on November 24, 2022. He was born May 25, 1922 in Windsor, the son of Calixte Adelard and Elsie Jane (Austin) Thibodeau. He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942-1945. He married the love of his life, Kathleen (Kit) Schaldenbrand of Detroit, in August 1945 and they celebrated 69 years of marriage before Kit died on May 8, 2015.
Leo was president of Thibodeau Express Ltd (later Thibodeau-Finch), a trucking company founded by his father in 1928. He was a director of Algoma Central Railway, AUR Resources, and served on the Windsor Harbour Commission.
Throughout his life, Leo’s generous personality fostered broad interests and attracted many friends. One of Leo’s first loves was jazz, and he attended concerts and clubs throughout his life in Windsor/Detroit and around the world. He loved to reminisce about meeting a young Oscar Peterson in Toronto, and his story of he and Kit meeting Louis Armstrong in NYC is legend. His love of geography and travel took him to several continents. He and Kit spent many winters in Stuart, Florida. Leo enjoyed all kinds of games, but none more than contract bridge. He loved to gamble and won loonies playing gin rummy with his kids right to the end. Harness racing was another of his passions. He owned several horses, naming them after his offspring and racing them throughout southwestern Ontario. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of Beach Grove and Es golf clubs. His membership in the Wine & Food Society developed his gourmet interests. Leo attributed his longevity to the wine he drank every evening with dinner. Leo shared great times and deep friendships throughout his life. His easygoing nature, sense of humor, Catholic faith, and gratefulness sustained him in the last few years at home where he was tended to by loving caregivers who became part of the family.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his brother Bruce, his sister Joyce MacWilliam, son-in-law Tom Broder and grandson Gerald. Surviving are his four sons and three daughters: Joe (Karen Monna), John, Rick, Molly Broder, Jane Thompson (Gordon), Carole Marcotte (Rick), and Mark (Kym); fifteen grandchildren: Maggie, Jody, Jane, Brea, Emma and Jackson Thibodeau; Thomas, Charlie and Danny Broder; Katie Thompson, Annie Dove, Meg Riker, and Jeremy, Molly and Andrew Marcotte; seven great-grandchildren: Leo, Kit, Bella, Ben, Elsie, Frankie, and Miles; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or the Windsor Es Down Syndrome Association.
Visitation Thursday December 1, 2022 from 4 – 7 pm at Families First 3260 Dougall Ave. South Windsor. On Friday December 2, 2022 visitation will resume at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (4401 Mt Royal Dr.) from 10 am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11 am. Cremation to follow.
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2022
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Leo Joseph Thibodeau 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Windsor, Province: Ontario