Edward A. LeLacheur

Edward A. LeLacheur
Retired State Representative
A True Gentleman

LOWELL -- To Eddie LeLacheur, Public Service was his life. Eddie had a selfless devotion to his neighborhood and to his city. From the aisles of his Gorham Street market, to the floor of the House of Representatives, Edward A. LeLacheur was a man for the people. Following a valiant and courageous 14 month battle with ALS, Edward A. LeLacheur passed away on Thursday evening, August 5, 2010 at the Lahey Clinic, in the company of his loving family. He was 85 years old. Eddie was the beloved husband of Ann (Hayden) (Hickey) LeLacheur who survives him. Edward was born in Lowell on June 1, 1925, a son of the late Frederick and Blanche (Dion) LeLacheur. Educated in Lowell schools, he was a graduate of St. Peter's Grammar School, and Lowell High School, Class of 1944. Eddie was married to the late T. Eileen (Mahoney) LeLacheur, with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage.

As a young man, Eddie delivered oil for a local fuel company. He then worked at the First National Stores, Inc. of Lowell. Ed later obtained ownership of the Stolpyne Market on January 6, 1958. He owned and operated his neighborhood market until 1975.

Ed LeLacheur was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1975 and served the people of the 18th Middlesex District until his retirement in 1998. During his 24 year tenure, Ed served on the House Post Audit and Oversight Committee, the House Ways and Means Committee, and the House Ethics Committee. Representative LeLacheur was also the Chairman of the House Committee on Personnel and Administration from 1991 until 1998. Representative LeLacheur worked tirelessly to secure the funding for the Minor League Baseball Park which bears his name. Edward A. LeLacheur Park opened to a sell-out crowd on June 22, 1998. Ed was proudly on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. He was later honored the night of July 3, 2009, when to his surprise, the Mystery Bobble Head was a likeness of himself. Ed loved the game of baseball. Ed attended countless games and all of the opening day games, including this year's.

As a schoolboy, Ed played ball and was a catcher. He enjoyed playing and watching the game. He loved the Lowell Spinners and the Boston Red Sox.

At home, Eddie was an active parishioner of Sacred Heart Church. He was Past President of the Sacred Heart Men's Club, Past President of the Holy Name Society, and Past District Vice President of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Eddie also held membership in the Lowell Lodge of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, and the Massachusetts Grocers Association. More recently, Ed and Ann enjoyed wintering in Bradenton Florida where they had many friends in their close knit community.

Whether you knew him as husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, neighbor, friend, grocer, or State Rep., Ed LeLacheur was the most compassionate, soft hearted, generous man you could ever be lucky enough to meet. He was a giver, and he couldn't say "no" to anyone. For over 15 years, he was known for the thousands of Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners he provided to those who otherwise would have gone without. Eddie never had to ask anyone to come and volunteer and the same faces appeared every year to lend a hand. If you knew Eddie, you also knew that he was a quick-witted practical joker. He loved to tease, and had a terrific sense of humor. He was a very funny man who had an endless flow of jokes. He also hosted card games at his home with the "Holy Men" of the parish. Ed enjoyed a friendly round of golf with his buddies and a good game of cribbage.

Eddie had friends that are too numerous to mention. He touched the lives of everyone he met. He was a one of a kind gentleman.

Surviving Ed are his wife, Ann LeLacheur of Lowell, his children, Joanne Sheehan of Lowell, Mary Jane Nardone and her husband Robert of Westford, William LeLacheur and his wife Christine of Littleton, Paul LeLacheur and his wife Susan of Lowell, and James LeLacheur and his wife Pamela of Hudson NH, the Hickey family, Thomas Hickey and his wife Corinne of Tewksbury, Larry Hickey of Lowell, Robert Hickey and his wife Mary of Dracut, William Hickey and his wife Nicole of York ME, Ann Marie Baribeault and her husband Richard of Dracut, Karen Rachal and her husband John of Dracut, Marcie Desrosiers and her husband Ron of Groton, and Moira Malavich and her husband Bill of Chelmsford, his grandchildren, Amy Caliri, Kimberly Riveroll, Matthew LeLacheur, Susanne O'Keefe, John Sheehan, Jason Sheehan, Nicole LeLacheur, Steven LeLacheur, Michael LeLacheur, and Thomas Hickey, Christopher Hickey, Daniel Hickey, Julie Baribeault, Katie Baribeault, David Baribeault, Zachary Hickey, Andrew Hickey, Stephen Rachal, Kerri Rachal, T.J. Hickey, Ryan Hickey, Anna Hickey, Mae Hickey, Matthew Desrosiers, Brian Desrosiers, Cara Desrosiers, William Malavich, Brendan Malavich, and five great-grandchildren. Eddie also leaves a brother, Raymond LeLacheur and his wife Jean of Lowell, and several nieces and nephews. Ed was the father of the late Edward D. LeLacheur, grandfather of the late Christine Park, and brother of the late Thomas LeLacheur.

LeLACHEUR -- In Burlington, August 5, 2010 at Lahey Clinic. Edward A. LeLacheur, 85, beloved husband of Ann (Hayden) (Hickey) LeLacheur. Family and friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL, on MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2010, from 2 until 8 P.M. Mr. LeLacheur's Funeral Mass will be held on TUESDAY MORNING at 11 o'clock at St. William's Church, 1351 Main St. Tewksbury. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Chelmsford. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Eddie's memory may be made to the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur, 241 Lafayette Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14213, or to the ALS Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 320 Norwood Park South, 2nd Floor, Norwood, MA 02062. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 978-459-9222. www.faymccabe.com