JAY LEBLANC

About our dear friend Jay…

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Jay LeBlanc on November 9, 2024. He is predeceased by his maternal grandmother – Amma; Father; one great aunt; one great uncle; two aunts and an uncle; and friends from the L’Arche community.

Jay was both a Frenchman and Icelander born to Paul Roger Joseph LeBlanc and Jonina Joy Isfeld in Gimli, Manitoba on June 8, 1962. He had one slightly younger sister named Holly. Though in adulthood Jay expressed himself only through indistinct sounds, Holly remembers Jay saying action words like “run”. She also notes how clever he was as a young child, figuring out how to pull down the sides of both their cribs so that the two side-by-side beds could be open together. From an early age Jay was sensitive and caring towards others. One particular time, when his mother and sister were both nursing injuries Jay was especially attentive smiling sympathetically and patting them with great gentleness.

At a time when parents were encouraged to send their children with intellectual disabilities to large institutions Jay was brought to St. Amant Centre. He lived at St. Amant Centre from 1967-1975. From there he moved into a foster placement, a group home, and a boarding house. Later on a friend recalls that Jay’s St. Charles School principal, Barb Sarson, expressed concern for Jay and wondered if there might be a home for him in L’Arche.

What a wonderful gift of an idea this was for Jay and for our community!

It came to pass that Jay moved in on November 1st 1983 at 50 Foster Street. Jay had many adventures with Agnes Kelly and his housemates. During this time he reconnected with his sister. Jay and his Foster St. housemates went on visits to her ranch near Gimli. When L'Arche closed this house in 1995, he moved with the rest of his housemates to a new L'Arche home, The Anchor, at 137 Claremont Ave in Norwood where he lived up until this fall.

After completing Prince Charles School Jay began working at Versatech (now known as Imaginability) and continued there until retiring recently. He has enjoyed dancing (especially with pretty ladies), going to the pub, going out for coffee and helping out with the yard work – mowing the lawn, gardening, shovelling snow. He helped out around the house by washing the dishes, vacuuming, and baking cookies. Assistants remember how Jay could turn chores into a game by tossing a giant teddy bear at the Assistant while cleaning his room. This brought on much laughter with his authentic and joyful giggle. Jay also played a kind of “guess where it is?” game with objects and laughed very hard when he would trick the other person.

Oh Jay, we miss hearing your laugh.

Some of Jay’s favourite leisure activities have been going on walks and riding in the van. Jay liked walking at Bird’s Hill Park and how he loved a drive on the wide open road! Jay went on interesting trips including Seattle in 1996 for a L'Arche Federation meeting, and again in the summer of 2007 for holidays. He’s had a great time at various cottages for summer holidays – Gimli, Riding Mountain, and Gull Lake. In 2002 he went with some other L'Arche people to Toronto for the World Youth Days – a large international gathering with the Pope. More recent trips included Thunder Bay, Regina and Saskatoon.

Many of us remember Jay as a joyful person who shared his love in hugs and special attention for those he cared about. Jay taught us how to communicate in new ways, to find fun in everyday activities and the pleasure of enjoying a slow cup of coffee with friends.

Jay Jay, Jay-boy, Jay, thank you for your generous spirit and all that you have shared with us… for being our teacher, housemate, and friend. We will remember you for your welcoming presence, playful sense of humor, your emotional sensitivity, and so much more.

At this time we hold you Jay, close in our hearts and take comfort in knowing that you are at peace now - resting in Christ.

All are welcome to attend Jay’s Funeral Prayer Service at 10:45am on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Blessed Sacrament Parish at 710 Roanoke St. A reception will follow at the L’Arche Welcome Centre – 525 Day St. Please RSVP for the reception and include any dietary restrictions to spirituallife@larchewinnipeg.org

People are invited to remember Jay by wearing green (his favourite colour) and bring sunglasses for a moment of silence at the reception.

Jay’s family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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