Harry J. LeBlanc Sr.

Published 12:00 am Thursday, May 9, 2024

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral Mass for Harry J. LeBlanc Sr. at noon on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 20370 Smith Road, Covington, LA 70435. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time. Interment will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024, at St. Peter’s Cemetery in New Iberia.

A kind, loving, humble, generous and patient parent, grandparent, friend and Christian servant, Harry J. LeBlanc left his earthly home on April 11, 2024, to meet his heavenly Father. Harry had a great love for family, God, community and country. He was born on September 20, 1932, in Delcambre, to his parents Elmire Geoffroy and Claude Joseph LeBlanc and sisters Audrey LeBlanc Nunez, Rella LeBlanc Johnson and Bertha LeBlanc Dartez, all of whom have preceded him in death.

Harry maintained a relationship with his classmates from the New Iberia High School class of 1951 where he was captain of the 1950 football team and received Class A second team All-State honors as a lineman. While in high school Harry enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, serving at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and Camp Pendleton, California, as a tank mechanic. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1952 with the rank of Corporal.

Upon his discharge from the Marine Corps, Harry returned to New Iberia where he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Delta Mae Borel on August 2, 1953. They celebrated 69 years of blessed matrimony until Delta’s passing in 2023.

Harry enjoyed spending time with family and friends, including family camping trips to travel the country and celebrating events such as birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.

Harry had a long career in oil field pipe inspection services working for Tuboscope in New Iberia and New Orleans for 25 years before moving on to provide his services for other companies including ICO. During his time working in oil field pipe inspection, Harry actively participated with professional organizations including National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE). Harry was a friend, coach and mentor to his co-workers, many of whom maintained contact with him after his retirement.

Harry’s career with Tuboscope resulted in moving to the New Orleans area (Algiers and Terrytown) in 1960 where he and Delta raised their children and were active in the community. After retiring, he worked as a tax preparer for H & R Block. He continued this work even after moving to Covington in 2007. There they settled into an active retirement community, Terra Mariae, where they enjoyed many wonderful friends and neighbors.

Harry loved to help others and was a dedicated volunteer. He served as Scoutmaster for Troop 65 and was on the District Eagle Board for many years. He also volunteered as a course marshal at the PGA Tour event in New Orleans for many years.

He was very active in Christ the King Catholic Church in Terrytown, serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion and as a member of both the Knights of Columbus and the building committee for construction of a new church building. After moving to Covington he continued his church service as a member of the Pastoral Council at St. Benedict Catholic Church, as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion and as a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Men’s Club. He was known for his delicious potato salad and enjoyed helping the Men’s Club for various events such as the Lenten fish fry. He volunteered at St. Joseph Abbey helping to wrap fresh baked bread as well as working in the woodshop.

He served on the Board of Directors for the Terra Mariae Property Owners Association. In Terra Mariae he was often called upon to be “Mr. Fix It” and he happily obliged. A favorite pastime was doing his own yard work. He would also enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning under the patio. He was always a “do-it-yourself” and “let’s have a cup of coffee” kind of guy.

He was a faithful New Orleans Saints fan. He attended many games in the Superdome and if he was not there in person he watched the games on television. Playing golf was another favorite pastime. When he accompanied Delta to the casinos in Mississippi he enjoyed playing a round of golf or reading a book while she was in the casino playing the slot machines.

He leaves behind his son Harry Jr. (Elaine); daughter Mary (Ray) Beeler; and son Timothy (Kathi). He was affectionately known as “Popa” to five grandchildren, Joshua Beeler, Jason Beeler, Amanda (Kerry) Scroggin, David (Addie) LeBlanc and Marc LeBlanc; and one great-grandchild, Sawyer Scroggin. He was also uncle to Kenny (Susan) Nunez and Steve (Chiara) Dartez.

The family extends deep gratitude for the love and care provided by the staff at Longleaf Memory Care at Christwood and for services received from Hospice Specialties of Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests your attendance of a Mass in Harry’s name at St. Benedict Catholic Church or a church of your choice, or contributions made to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org.

E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, locally owned and operated, is honored to be entrusted with the funeral arrangements. His family invites you to share thoughts, memories and condolences by signing an online guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.