Gilbert Leblanc

Dr. Gilbert A. LeBlanc, Capt., USN 1927-2011 Dr. Gilbert Arthur LeBlanc passed away peacefully on July 20, 2011, at the Veterans Home in Yountville, CA where he had served as physician and surgeon for 20 years. Dr. LeBlanc was the eldest son of Arthur and Regina LeBlanc of Worcester, MA. He entered Georgetown Medical School in Washington DC, graduating in 1954. That same year he married Helene M. Kennedy of Washington DC and entered the US Navy Medical Corps. He served at the US Naval Hospital in St. Albans, NY and then as Chief of Service in Urology at the US Naval Hospital in Newport, RI. He was promoted to the rank of Captain and transferred to the US Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan. He also practiced medicine in Tokyo, in Yokohama, and organized a mobile field hospital in Da Nang, Vietnam. His last duty station was at Oaknoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, CA in 1977. He then served as physician at the Veterans Hospital in Yountville, CA from 1977-1997, and in 1978 he pursued a second career in the wine industry at his ranch and vineyards in St. Helena, CA. He retired from medicine in 1997 and spent the next several years at his ranch -- fixing fences, repairing farm equipment, and sometimes just sitting on the front porch at the end of the day with a deep sigh and a nice glass of zinfandel. He is survived by his wife, Helene, his children: Stephen, Michele, Christopher, and Dominique; 9 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. A military interment will be held at the Veterans Memorial Grove Cemetery in Yountville on Friday, August 5th at 10am, followed by a Memorial Mass at the St. Helena Catholic Church at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Veterans Home of California: 100 California Drive, Yountville, CA 94599; the St. Helena Catholic Church: (707) 963-1228, or to Doctors Without Borders: www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate. Complete service information available online at www.morrisonfuneralchapel.com