Second golf tournament organized to remember a family man
By Nicole LeBlanc

Saying goodbye is never easy. But while some people would think that "goodbye" means "the end," others use their emotions to propel them towards making a difference.

The family of Robert (Bob) Leblanc experienced a close encounter with lung cancer when he was diagnosed with the disease in July 2004. Six months later on Dec. 23, Bob passed away and left behind a wife, four children, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren who refuse to forget him.

"He taught us to not let life get so busy that you don't have time for family," said his daughter Rhonda Collins.

In this vain the second annual Robert J. Leblanc (RJL) Golf Tournament will be held, Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Townsend Ridge Country Club. The proceeds will benefit the American Lung Association's Lung Cancer Discovery Award Grant as well as Camp Chest Nut, a children's summer camp geared specifically for asthma sufferers.

"I can't imagine anyone alive today who doesn't know someone who died from cancer, especially lung cancer," said Kelly A. Murray, the oldest granddaughter of Leblanc in whose memory the tournament is held. "When it's someone close to you, it's up in your face."

LeBlanc's family and friends are still working through the difficult emotions of having to say goodbye to the man they loved. But although Murray said that Christmas was rough the year LeBlanc passed away, the family pulled together almost immediately to plan an event to raise money in an effort to fight lung cancer.

"We all started talking about doing something right away," said Murray. "The first event was held September 2005. Our plan is to keep it on or around the same weekend every year."

Collins said that raising money to find a cure for cancer is their way of helping others.

"Cancer is taking so many families and friends," she said. "We want to donate money to help stop that."

Last year, the RJL Golf Tournament raised more than $3,000 and this year's goal is to exceed that.

Businesses and individuals alike contribute to the tournament's success. Some businesses donate gift certificates for raffles or buy advertising signs that are placed throughout the golf course. There is a dinner event at the end of the tournament, and some people decide to give money gifts. Any contribution is welcomed with open arms.

Leblanc's family will give $500 to sponsor a child to go to Camp Chest Nut and the remaining money will go to the lung cancer grant.

Murray sees the tournament as a way to fight against the disease that took the life of her grandfather. She also sees it as a way that her grandfather continues to be a part of their lives.

"His passion was family and bringing us all together," said Murray. "The tournament still brings us together today."

Leblanc and his wife, Betty, were constantly entertaining people in their Townsend home of 43 years. Collins said someone once commented on the Leblanc residence as being more than a house; to everyone, it was indeed a home. From class reunions and work parties to family gettogethers, Leblanc stressed the importance of relationships and bringing people - especially family - together.

One such get-together was the Leblanc family reunion held every Fourth of July. Leblanc's aunt and uncle had originally organized the large family gathering before he later took it over for them.

His daughter Gwenna Sheldon said she remembers going to the front yard with the family and surrounding the flagpole. Uncles who had served in the military were honored. Prayers were said. Patriotic songs were sung.

"My mother would supply little flags," Sheldon said. "The kids would walk around and wave them. Sometimes people driving by would toot."

This year, Collins held the family reunion as her father would have done.

"He taught us that it's really important to keep people together," she said. "And he was very patriotic."

Amidst his serious belief in a close family, Leblanc had a humorous side. His teasing nature dubbed him the nickname "Rotten Robert" - a nickname that was used fondly by all of his friends and family.

"My dad - if he liked you - enjoyed teasing you," Sheldon said. "That was his expression of love. If he didn't like you ... well, he liked everyone."

Throughout his years in Townsend, Leblanc drove trucks for several companies. One of his last jobs was working as a part-time driver for Dick Catalini, of Ashby Oil. Catalini says that he knew Leblanc since 1964.

"We all miss him here at Ashby Oil," Catalini said. "He was a funny guy - wellliked and competitive. Family was important to him. My kids went to school with his and his kids were well cared for."

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Nicole LeBlanc is a 2005 graduate of Eastern Nazarene College, in Quincy. She is living in Templeton.