Richard L. LeBlond

Richard L. LeBlond, 83, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2012 at Wing Memorial Hospital. Born in Hartford, CT on January 25, 1929, he was the son of the late Albany and Helen LeBlond of Somers, CT, and a resident of Wilbraham for 56 years. A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps during WWII, and The United States Air Force during The Korean War, Richard attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and commanded a Munitions Storage Facility in Korea, where he also was an armaments instructor. He served with the Army of Occupation in Japan and was awarded the Japan Occupation Ribbon, Korean Service Ribbon, and the United Nations Service Ribbon. As a civilian, Richard was an electrician employed for most of his career at M.L. Schmitt, Inc., of Springfield, and during his tenure as a member of IBEW Local #7, he pioneered the installation of digital alarm and information systems for many commercial and municipal buildings in Springfield and the surrounding area. He was a rifleman from a very young age and became a competitive match rifleman during and after his military service. He spent much time perfecting his craft and was known locally as a precision gunsmith and reloading enthusiast. Richard also enjoyed upland bird hunting, fishing, skeet, and trap shooting, and in later years became an avid sporting clays shooter. He was a communicant of St. Cecilia’s Church in Wilbraham where he enjoyed deep conversations with his parish priest. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 63 years, Thelma (Couture) LeBlond. Blessed to have known her since they were both in grade school, the couple married in Springfield, and has been inseparable ever since. Richard was predeceased by his sister Shirley (LeBlond) Mercier. He will also be greatly missed by his son Neil, and his wife Mary Beth of Branchburg, NJ and his daughter Melanie Peach, and her husband Greg of Taunton, MA. His memory will live on in his four grandchildren, Logan, Kyle, Ryan, and Griffin and all those whose life he touched.

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