Donald Richard LeClair

Donald Richard LeClair of Wenham, MA, passed away unexpectedly August 31, 2025, at just 75 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Irene LeClair, and his stepmother Bea LeClair. Don is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Jackie, his former wife Elissa Al-Chokachy of Beverly, and his six children: Brad (Kristen) of New Rochelle, NY, Sarah Arvanites of Miami, FL, Adrienne LeClair (Jonathan) Parrelli of Gloucester, MA, Nicole Arvanites (A.J. Kriete) of Gloucester, MA, Andrea LeClair (Roland Laroche) of Manchester, NH, and Matt Arvanites of Gloucester, MA. Don is also survived by his sister Jeanne Cammett of Beverly, MA, his sister Jackie Barricelli (Bob) of Beverly, MA, his brother Ken LeClair (Deb) of Wellesley, MA, his sister Janet LeClair of Middletown, CT, his brother Bobby LeClair (Deb) of Pleasanton, CA, his brother Dennis LeClair (Paula) of Beverly, MA, his sister Joanne DeLorenzo (Dan) of Danvers, MA, his sister Joyce Frisiello (Steve) of Beverly, MA, and his brother Marc LeClair (Kellie) of West Chatham, MA. He will be terribly missed by his grandkids Stella, Matteo, Gabriella, Jade, Savannah, Casey and Leo.

Family mattered deeply to Don and he loved his own fiercely. He grew up in Beverly as the oldest son in a family of ten children and went on to be a father to six incredible children and seven beloved grandchildren.

While best known professionally for his family dental practice in Beverly, Don's path to dentistry was indirect. A true believer in education, he was an avid learner. After graduating from Beverly High School in 1968, Don went on to earn a degree in chemical engineering from Northeastern University. While working as a chemical engineer at Pfizer, he earned an MBA from the University of New Haven. He followed this with a DMD from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Armed with an MBA and DMD, he opened his own dental practice in 1979. For more than 45 years, he was loved by generations of patients who came to him for his warmth, humor, and skill. While serving his community as a dentist, Don also served for 35 years as Director for the Delta Dental Insurance Company of MA and DentaQuest Ventures as member and chairperson of several boards. In this role he represented the dentists of MA and used both his MBA and his dental experience to bring a unique perspective to board deliberations.

Most importantly, it was his personal titles Don truly relished. That of husband, father, and grandfather. As a father, he was enthusiastic and hands-on, instilling in his kids his love of hard work and well-earned play. He coached hockey and softball, opened his home to teammates and friends, and instilled in his children the same principles of education and hard work that drove him. Every day, he rose early, worked hard, and always, always made time to cook a meal at the end of the day… and enjoy it with a cold Stella Artois.

Nothing showcased Don's larger-than-life personality more than his most recent-and proudest-title of "Pepere" to his 7 grandkids. He was the core of our large and close-knit family and he relished his roles of Shirley Temple Maker, Tomato Picker, Conductor of the Polar Express, and Chief Belly Laugh Instigator. Wherever Pepere was, laughter was sure to follow. He loved costumes and characters, and he loved to watch the people he loved laugh. And we loved so much to laugh with him.

This is the Don we will miss the most: the man who always found an opportunity to bring joy to others. The man who would wear costumes to the hospital to visit sick friends, to surprise his granddaughters at school, or simply to work to perform a root canal. His antics were about more than humor; they were about connection. They were a way that he could make people's lives better, easier, or more joyful. And he did. He will be missed by every person who knew him; friends, family, his golf buddies, his patients, and his wonderful staff.

Visiting hours for Don will be held at the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly, on Sunday, September 14th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be at Danversport, 161 Elliott Street, Danvers, on Monday, September 15th, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Don's memory to the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund at www.ouimet.org/. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.