Sgt. Ernest Henry LeBlanc

November 28, 1940 – June 2, 2011

Sgt. Ernest Henry LeBlanc of Mesa, Arizona and Kentville, Nova Scotia, a tenth generation Acadian passed away June 2, 2011 in his home in Mesa with his beloved wife Jean at his side. Born in Kentville, Nova Scotia, November 28, 1940, to the late Edward Ernest LeBlanc and Bernadette (Venoit) Tessie, he was the step- grandson of Wyman and Dr. Gladys M. Porter, MLA M.B.E. D.C.L. of Kentville. He was predeceased by a sister, Joan Brunet of Cornwall Ontario.  Educated in Kentville schools, Ernest was a corporal in the 507^th Air Cadet Squadron, a member of the Kentville volunteer fire department, and Branch 6 Royal Canadian Legion with his father. He was a member of St. Joseph RC Church. His identical twin brother Edward has fond memories of time spent with him at his Aunt Lois Porter’s cottage in Halls Harbour.  While still a teen, Ernest joined the Second Battalion of the Black Watch in 1957 and served until 1961, training in Sussex, New Brunswick and then in Gagetown. He subsequently joined the United States Marine Corps at the encouragement of a friend, who was later killed in action. Ernest rose to the rank of sergeant while completing three tours of duty in Vietnam as a combat photographer. He was awarded the Good Conduct medal, National Defense medal, Combat medal, Presidential Unit citation, and the Naval Unit commendation.  After leaving the Marine Corps, Ernest began his career in Los Angeles as a banker and Small Business Administration loan specialist. He subsequently moved to northern California, serving as the vice president of a number of banks, where he created strong SBA departments that continue to thrive for several northern California institutions. He went on to establish a successful SBA consulting business.  He is survived by his first wife Minerva Fournier Chronoviat of Colton, California, his second wife Constance Ericson of Oakland, California, his third wife Jean Maynard of Mesa, Arizona, step mother Phyllis (Porter) McKay Windsor of Kentville, sister Jeanette Chenier of Cornwall Ontario, sister Lynn McCulley Ardorise and her husband Paul of Nova Scotia, sister Gillian Campbell Tease and her husband Bruce of Heaven, England, sister Linda Segeguin of Windsor, Ontario, twin brother Edward and his wife Jennifer of Stellarton, Nova Scotia, brother Douglas (Paddy) Alsford of Nova Scotia, and Gerald of Toronto. Services for Mr. LeBlanc will be at 1:00 pm Wednesday June 15, 2011 at the National Memorial Cemetery of AZ, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ.