Leon Louis Blais
April 28, 1931 - September 27, 2020
Laguna Woods Califronia
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Leon Louis Blais
April 28, 1931 - September 27, 2020
Laguna Woods Califronia
Obituary
Leon Louis Blais
Leon Louis Blais, age 89, died peacefully at his home in Laguna Woods, CA, on September 27, after several weeks of failing health due to coronary artery disease. Born April 28, 1931 in Goffstown, NH, Leon was the seventh and youngest child of Oscar Blais and Desneiges Bouchard, both born in Canada. He married Therese Yvette Pinard of Manchester in 1951. She preceded him in death on December 15, 2012 after 61 years of marriage.
Leon was predeceased by brothers Julien, Vital (Vic) and Maurice Blais; sisters Rose St. Pierre, Alice Delisle and Therese Boucher. He is survived by 10 children, 22 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. His seven sons, three daughters and their spouses are: Donald Blais & partner Michael McGinley, Diane Blais, Claudette Root & husband Robert Root, Armand Blais & wife Eve, Rev. George Blais, Arthur (Art) Blais & wife Annette, Roger Blais & wife Carol, Frank Blais & wife Beatriz, David Blais & wife Diana and Estelle Acuna. All residing in California.
Born on a farm in Goffstown, Leon graduated from St Edmond grammar school and upon graduating from St. Joseph’s High School in Manchester, he studied accounting and worked as a bookkeeper for a local B.F. Goodrich tire company. An earlier job was at L’Avenir National newspaper where he met Therese (Terry). They raised 10 children in Manchester before moving the family to Garden Grove CA in 1973 so that Leon could take a job with Hughes Aircraft using his expertise as a precious metals circuitry plater, skills he had developed while working at Sanders Associates in Manchester. Upon retirement, he and Terry settled into an active lifestyle in Laguna Woods Village, enjoying thousands of walks at Laguna and other nearby beaches with their almost daily outings to the Pacific. His love of camping put Leon behind the wheel of various RVs over the years as he took family and friends on camping trips throughout California and several cross-country treks to visit family in New Hampshire. Leon and Terry’s travels took them to American Samoa, several trips to Hawaii, and cruises in Europe, the Caribbean and Central America/ Panama Canal. A life-long devout Catholic, he and Therese also made pilgrimages to the shrines devoted to Our Lady at Medjugorje, Fatima, and Lourdes.
Family was very important to Leon. He was devoted to his 10 children and to their families. He loved being “pepere” to his 22 grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. He didn’t shy away from holding a baby and gently talking to him or her with a big smile on his face. He loved a good card game of Cribbage, usually beating his sons, daughters or grandchildren who took up the challenge. As his family eventually settled in both Northern and Southern California, Leon and Terry travelled every year to participate in the annual Blais Family North Christmas party that followed a similar gathering as the Blais Family South party. He attended every baptism, confirmation, graduation, wedding and other celebrations, especially ten 50th birthday parties and special gatherings at his milestone birthdays, such as his 85th a few years ago. An avid baseball fan, rooting first for the Boston Red Sox, and later, after the family migration West, his allegiances were with the LA Angels. For years, Leon could be found either at Angel Stadium with one or more of his sons, or watching the Angels on television, often with a very devoted grandson. Leon’s love and support of his family will forever be remembered fondly. He lives in our hearts. Rest in peace, Leon.
O’Connor Mortuary is handling arrangements to include:
Vigil and Rosary at St Nicholas Catholic Church, 24252 El Toro Rd, Laguna Woods, CA 92637 9:00 am to 11:15 am on Saturday, October 10, 2020 followed by a Mass of Remembrance 11:30AM
Graveside services will be held with the family,
ZOOM LINKS
For those who will attend via Zoom
Vigil Service
- Date & Time: October 10, 2020 (9:00 AM - 11:15 AM)
- Venue: St. Nicholas Catholic Church
- Location: 24252 El Toro Rd. Laguna Woods, CA 92637 - (Get Directions)
Funeral Mass
- Date & Time: October 10, 2020 (11:30 AM)
- Venue: St. Nicholas Catholic Church
- Location: 24252 El Toro Rd. Laguna Woods, CA 92637 - (Get Directions)
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19 responses to Leon Louis Blais
Damaris McGee says:
October 9, 2020
Right when I thought my heart could not break anymore, it feels like it has shattered into a million other pieces. Still processing your absence from this earth but finding joy in that you are no longer in pain and are now reunited with grandma, the love of your life. You were the kindest soul, full of the most unexpected wit. You listened well and were very good at asking questions, making those around you feel loved and cared for. I will always cherish our many memories together, like our walks at Laguna Beach, and long conversations in your living room, or you keeping me in the loop of which baseball team was winning, and teaching me how to use a scratch card in hopes that we would hit the jack pot. Well, I wish I could tell you now, that I definitely feel like I hit the jackpot having had you as my grandpa. I love you forever. RIP Pepe. -Damaris & Christopher McGee
Diane Blais says:
October 9, 2020
Dad I will always have you in my heart. I cherish so many good times and hard times. The jobs you had when I was so young and you at times took the bus to work. Some of these jobs were Genest bakery and you would bring home some whoopie pies. Fuller brush where I would on occasion help you bag some of the orders. I would meet you at the bus stop off of Cottage road.
You and mom would always find a way for us to take a vacation. Selling our baked goods around the neighborhood so we can take a day trip to Old Orchard Beach. Our trips to Montreal around Easter when all 12 of us would pile in the white dodge station wagon and later the green Ford Van. The picture of us in chronological order on the steps of St. Joseph. Those camping trips with an 8×10 tent only room for 10 sleeping bags lined up for us and you two in a small tent next to us. One trip in particular I remember when Aunt Rosie, Uncle Harry and our cousins went to Pawtuckaway State Park camping, we were playing cards around 9:00 PM and the security guard told us to wrap it up its bedtime. We said it was early and he said go to bed. We all piled in the tent and played around a lantern till we were asked again to wrap it up.
Your wonderful “money tree” stories. When we wanted something and you would say do you think money grows on trees? He would say I’ll go check my money tree to see if there is enough to buy that.
I will always appreciate the year you gave me my first white petite pearl accordion you proudly bought from a co-worker at Sanders. I know you could not afford that 100.00 accordion so as soon as I could I was able to pay for half of it. I still play with a group and am paying it forward playing monthly at a few memory care facilities. Thank you for trusting in me to continue my joy of music. I still have 2 pieces of music sheets that belonged to you one being “Ave Maria”.
While I was on a 3 year mission in American Samoa you both took the time to come out for a visit my second year. I cherish the week I had with you and mom at Lake Tahoe just 2 months before she left this earth. That week was so precious to me and I believe the first time I had you both to myself. Trips to N.H. followed by a cruise from Boston to Montreal with George, Estelle, dad and I. The river trip from Amsterdam to Pasaau with the same 4 people.
You taught me to play cribbage and each time I came down we would count our wins. You would never let me go back to northern CA without that “tie breaker”. The walks we took at the beach were always so pleasant and relaxing.
Now its time to be back with your love. October 13 you will be dancing together once again celebrating your 69th anniversary.
Rebecca Juliani says:
October 9, 2020
I will always hold our Laguna Beach memories close to my heart. All those times you drove us to the beach and one of the last times where I did the driving, I will never forget the patience you had while giving me directions even though I was terrible at following them. That’s how you always were though, patient, sometimes serious with spontaneous moments of laughter to reassure me that everything was okay. I will never forget the ridiculous birthday gifts my dad and mom would agree to buy for you (obviously Damaris, David, Ruth, and my idea) one year we bought you a huge orca stuffed animal that made orca sounds and you kept that thing in your car for many years. Made me feel so proud like we picked the best gifts for you. I remember another year we got you an ugly singing fish mount that played Bob Marley. You loved it. You always made me feel special. You always made all of us feel loved. Rest in peace Pepere.
Ruth Blais says:
October 9, 2020
Ruth and Luke Kramer/ Blais
Ruth Blais says:
October 9, 2020
I will miss you Pepe. I cherish all the moments we had together walking in your neighborhood counting how many rabbits and lizards we could spot, and our many beach trips, all the card games we played and the wii, and watching the game and having a good time at the house. You have taught me so many valuable lessons, and shared so many good laughs. I love you so much Pepe