William M. Leblanc

William M Leblanc 38 of Needham, MA unexpectedly left us on May 30, 2015 of a ruptured brain aneurysm. He was a resident of Needham for most of his life expect for short stays in CA, CT and VT. At a very young age of 3 he discovered the joy of learning which became the driving force which helped form the man he became and lasted through his life. William went to school in Needham from K-12 graduating in 1995 from Needham High School. He was the third generation on his mother side to graduate from NHS making his grandfather William M Bleakney and mother Marilynne M (Bleakney) Leblanc so proud. While at NHS William was a member of HS marching band for 4 years and concert band for 3 years playing the clarinet. He was co-captain of the math and science teams along the academic decathlon team that placed 4th in the state competition. He loved to debate and the opportunity to go to the National Congress portraying Senator Strom Thurman during it. That was a challenge for him as his own beliefs were so different from Thurman's. Among his academic honors were National AP Scholar, National Merit Scholarship Award finalist, National Honor Society, the Peter J Eloranta Chemistry Award, the President's Award of Educational Excellence, the Tandy Technology Scholars Academic Excellence in science, math and computer science as Outstanding Student for 1995, the Sylvan scholarship in the Century III Leaders Program and New England Institute of Teaching Book Award. (William himself would never talk of this-just proud family members) When William was interviewed by the Needham Times after he was named a National Merit winner his comment was: "Unlike most of the students who go to MIT so they can make money, I'm going to school to learn for the learning's sake…however I plan to become a physicist or a nuclear engineer so I can al least make enough money to ear." So William-like…and though he changed his career choice he lived by his convictions all of his life. William was active in local politics for a time working with the re-election campaigns for Lida Harkins; State Representative, Dan Matthews: Needham Selectman, Cheryl Jacques; State Senator and John Kerry, MA Senator. William was accepted to MIT and graduated in 1999 with his BS in political science. He was offered a fellowship at Caltech obtaining his MS in political science and economics. MIT contacted him and offered him a fellowship to come back. William returned to MIT and received his Ph.D. in economics in 2006. William was a Postdoctoral Associate at Yale University at the Center for the Study of American Politics then moving onto Dartmouth College as a Research Associate in the Department of Government. He left the formal academic world for Harvard Medical School as a statistician. After much thought William decided he would retire and pursue his own path to happiness and contentment in the search of knowledge of whatever captured his mind at the moment. He remained true and loyal to his many long time friends and his family spending time with them whenever possible. On his 6th birthday he received a white box for a gift from his parents entitled Dungeons and Dragons which opened the world of imagination and a lifetime passion for all types of games; roleplaying, classic board, competitive board, cooperative, card, computer and online. He still has the Atari 2600 with all the games and instruction books! During the summer the family took 2 weeks of vacation, one week camping and one of his choice. Fateful year came when William came to us and asked if we could go to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to something called GenCon. For those who might not know it is a weeklong game convention where people from the world come to play games…hundreds well maybe thousands. While us parents went off doing the tourist thing William was in his glory! And so it started…his second passion! The times and games he and his friends (and of course family especially his mother) played whatever game over the years even just before his passing – countless! He cherished his times with "the guys" – Gershon, Mark, David, Nate, Mike, Arron, Arron and all the ones we perhaps never met. Thank you all for being a part of his life. His love of being outdoors began as a child also first with his paternal grandparents at their summer cottage on the lake in Ashburnham. The annual week there with them going for walks with his grandparents, swimming, boating started it and continued with the family camping adventures all over New England and PA. He was an avid walker going for 1-2hr walk meandering mostly thru Needham over the years pondering on some new or old thought or just clearing his brain so he could go back and focus again. Other times the walks were just to observe a tree, some hawk or crow floating above, exploring the town forest perhaps seeing some interesting plant or maybe even a glimpse of a wood sprite or fairy in the shadows. While at Dartmouth College his apartment backup up to wooded hills and valleys of the first settler's graveyards. The stillest of the place drew him there and allowed him to just be…to think and wonder at things. While sitting one day with his back to old tree a group of 5 very large ravens landed in the clearing near there. He watched them and they him. A connection was born. The ravens flew off and William went to his computer to research them. Over the fall, winter and spring a raven or 2 would appear and watch him while he was thinking…they seemed to accept him. Nature was a haven for William for his thoughts. Just another side to this quiet gentle thoughtful man. When asked, "What kind of a day did he have?" he would stop, smile and answer "My day was perfect/wonderful! How was yours?" Or "PERFECT…..BLISS" He was truly content with his life. A remarkable man whose life was cut short. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. William was the loving son of Marilynne M Leblanc of Needham, MA and Lawrence A Leblanc and his wife Jeanne of East Bridgewater, MA. He is survived on his mother's side by his aunt Deborah Kelly, her children Courtney Pipher and her husband Robert and Erica L Asble and her husband William of Crestview, FL, their children My-Kyla, McKenzie, William and Ezra. His uncle Paul E Bleakney and his wife Beth of Taunton, MA, their children Victoria and Ryan , his great aunt Peggy Albertson of FL and many other cousins. On his father's side he is survived by his grandmother Gilda "Jill" Leblanc of St Petersburg, FL his Aunt Suzanne Arrand and her husband Bill of Worcester, VT and their children Benjamin Kinsey and his wife Susanna of Honolulu, Bethany Bonuedi and her husband of Dalali of Arlington, VA and Brian Ogilby of Montpelier, VT as well as his great uncle Nicholas Dioguardi and his wife Marie of East Boston and many other cousins. William was preceded by his maternal grandparents William M and Peggy J Bleakney and his paternal grandfather J Lawrence Leblanc. His final wish was to be an organ donor and because of him four very special people and their families/friends and their future generations have received his final gift of hope and life. Such a remarkable son, friend, man… Visiting hours will be held on Fri June 5 from 5-8 PM in the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Ave. Needham In lieu of flowers we ask if you would make a donation to the New England Organ Bank in his memory. Thank you. Please refer to their site at NEOB.org/donation