With great sadness, the family of Standardbred horseman and racehorse owner Stephen Michael LeBlanc has announced that Stephen passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2019 in an Ottawa, Ont. hospital at the age of 52.
Beloved husband and best friend of Donna (Wittstock) LeBlanc and much-loved father of Michelle and Megan. Loved son of Leonard and Lois (Dillabough) LeBlanc. Loved brother to Lise (Jeff) Drummond and their children Jordan and Jonathan, and brother to Brad LeBlanc. Fondly remembered by his extended family and many great friends and clients.
Stephen, who was the owner of Smiths Falls Hyundai, was a third generation horsemen who had a strong passion for harness racing that he shared with his father, Leonard, who is a former blacksmith in the area, and daughter Michelle, who is a current trainer.
Stephen loved to race his beloved horse The Love Bug and more recently American Paradise and Canadian Edition, who he owned in partnership with friend Blake Curran. He will be sadly missed by the racing community.
Family and friends may pay their respects at the Blair & Son Funeral Home, 112 Beckwith Street North, Smiths Falls on Thursday, August 22, 2019 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Stephen’s Life and a Sharing of Memories will take place at the Smiths Falls Curling and Squash Club 13 Old Sly’s Road, Smiths Falls, Saturday, September 14 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
In memory of Stephen, donations can be made to the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation (Kingston Regional Cancer Centre) at uhkf.ca/home.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Stephen LeBlanc.
Very sorry to hear the news
Very sorry to hear the news of Steve's passing. On behalf of the NCRHHA, I extend heart felt condolences to the LeBlanc family.
Will miss my conversations with Steve in the paddock on race nights, and perhaps more importantly his engagement in our efforts to resolve the discussions of racing issues that arose throughout the season. You could always count on Steve to be a voice of reason in the room.
God speed your soul to rest Steve.
Gordon McDonald
President, NCRHHA
Took the words right out of
Took the words right out of my mouth Gord,
Shocking loss. It was all our privilege to call Steve a Friend. Steve's passion for the horses was genuine. A humble race winner and better yet ...a gracious person when losing the odd race to another. Steve's enthusiasm, laugh and spirit will live on forever through his greatest legacy, his daughters Michelle and Megan.
Sincerely,
Howard & Lynda Portelance
This one really hurts! Steve
This one really hurts! Steve was a great guy. Amazing family man and great friend. Taught me alot over the many years I have known him. Would do anything for anyone. To the entire Leblanc family I'm so sorry for your loss. R.I.P Steve.