Lucien J. Leclaire

Lucien J. Leclaire Sr. October 31, 1926-February 4, 2018

DRESDEN NY-Lucien J. Leclaire Sr., 91, passed away on Sunday February 4, 2018 at the Glens Falls Hospital following a long illness. Born on October 31, 1926 in Hinesburg, Vermont, he was the son of the late Ernest and Marie Anne (Denoncourt) Leclaire. Lucien married the love of his life Patricia (Guardyak) Leclaire on July 11, 1952.

Lucien was one of the founding members of the Dresden Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the New York National Guard for nine years. He was employed at International Paper in Ticonderoga for 32 years, retiring in 1988 and was a member of the “Quarter Century Club” and the Paper Workers Union. He also worked as a carpenter, plumber and electrician and passed those skills on to his sons. Lucien enjoyed woodworking and built Adirondack furniture and bird houses.  He also enjoyed tinkering on anything with a motor, having yard sales and mowing his lawn on his John Deere tractor. Lucien enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren and was known to most as “Big Papa”. He was always teasing them by popping out his false teeth and giving them silly nicknames.

Lucien was predeceased by his son Christopher, his siblings, John (Lucy) Leclaire, Gabrielle (Milton) Gillis, Lucille (Adelord) Hanley, brother-in-law Scott Huntington Sr., sister-in-law Pamela Leclaire and son-in-law Alan Combs.

Lucien is survived by his wife of 65 years, Patricia, and his children Richard Leclaire and fiancé Sharon West of Dresden NY, Marie (Alan) Combs of Whitehall NY, Lucien and Marilou Leclaire of Dresden NY, Elizabeth and Wayne Barrett of Dresden NY, and Paul Sr. and Candy Leclaire of Whitehall NY.

His grandchildren, Rachael and Pete Charron of Glens Falls NY, Sarah Leclaire and her special friend Nicholas Mathieu of Benson Vt, Shae Varmette of Albany NY, Carli Varmette and her fiancé Caleb Armstrong of Albany NY, Stephanie Combs and her partner Nick Thorn of Wellesbourne England, Stephen and Stormy May Combs of Seaside Oregon, Jessica and Frank Ingerson of Whitehall NY, Christopher and Sara Leclaire of Ballston Lake NY, Rosemary  and Christopher Gordon of Dresden NY, Ashleigh Barrett and her fiancé Josh Maring of Dresden NY, Katie Barrett and her fiancé Jesse Bradish of Madrid NY, Amber Leclaire and her fiancé Shawn Brock of Castleton Vt, and Corporal Paul Leclaire Jr., US Army/Fort Wainwright Alaska.

His great grandchildren, Jackson and Genevieve Charron, Nora and Aila Combs, Matthew, Andrew and Patrick Ingerson, Margaret Grace Leclaire, Dylan and Preston Gordon, Mattilyn and Marleigh Maring, and  Addison Brock.

Survivors also include sisters, Jean (Scott Sr.) Huntington of Queensbury NY and Margaret and Robert Ayers of Whitehall NY and many nephews and nieces.

Consistent with Lucien’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral services. Burial will be in the spring at the convenience of the family.

 Donations may be made in Lucien’s name to the Dresden Volunteer Fire Department.

His family extends their sincerest gratitude to all of Lucien’s friends and acquaintances, to the members of the Skenesborough Emergency Squad PO Box 333, Whitehall, NY 12887, and to the many others who provided such compassionate care to him through the years.

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