Information from the Brattleboro Reformer



Brattleboro – Leo Paul Leclaire, 85, of South Main Street in Brattleboro, died peacefully on September 16, 2010 at the Thompson House Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.

Leo was born in Burlington, VT on February 19, 1925, the son of Antonio and Diana (Dionne) Leclaire. He was raised and educated in Burlington and later went on to graduate from the F.B.I. National Academy. He was a resident of Brattleboro for over 60 years, having spent a short time in Zephyrhills, FL before returning to Brattleboro.


In 1942 Leo enlisted in the U.S. Navy and survived the sinking of the destroyer USS BEATTY in the Mediterranean during the North African campaign. He was assigned to another destroyer, the USS INGRAHAM which saw action in the Pacific campaign including the bombardment of Iwo Jima, the liberation of the Philippines, and the Battles of Leyte and Luzon Gulfs. During the Battle of Okinawa, his ship was heavily damaged by a Japanese kamikaze plane which struck amidships. Leo was honorably discharged from service in 1945.

For 16 years, Leo was employed by Baker's Bookstore prior to taking a position with the Brattleboro Police Department for 22 years. During his employment with the Brattleboro Police Department, he achieved the rank of Deputy Chief prior to retiring in 1988. Upon his retirement, he was employed by the Windham County Sheriff's Department as a bailiff in the Windham Superior Court for 11 years.

A devout Catholic, Leo was a communicant of St. Michael's Catholic Church. He held membership in the American Legion, Post 5 and the F.B.I. Academy Association. Leo also enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and was an accomplished woodworker. He took great pride in building a specific doll house for each granddaughter, including the intricate furniture pieces for each house.

In 1944 he married Heloise (Giroux) Leclaire, who predeceased him in 1993.

Survivors include: five sisters; Marie Rabideau of Brattleboro, Irene Pollica of Hinsdale, NH, Martha Castine of Brattleboro, Jeanne Lyons of Vernon and Anita Stacey of Brooksville, FL, one brother, Marcel Leclaire of Zephyrhills, FL, five children; Linda Goss and husband Stephen of Spofford, NH, Michael Leclaire and wife Bridget of Chesterfield, NH, Donna Traverse and husband John of Richmond, NH, Steven Leclaire and wife Nancy of Brattleboro, and David Leclaire also of Brattleboro, 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

Leo was preceded in death by four brothers; Joseph Henry, Normand, Rene and Richard, and four sisters; Yvette Broulard, Annette Marchant, Gertrude Raymond and Jeannine Smith.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted Wednesday at 10:00 A.M. at St. Michael's Catholic Church with Rev. Richard O'Donnell celebrant. Burial with full military honors will follow in Morningside Cemetery.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 6 to 9 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Leo's name may be made to the Thompson House Nursing Home activities fund, 80 Maple Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301 or to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302.