On May 23, 2018, Robert C. Leclerc Sr., 94, of 820 Third Avenue, Berlin, passed away quietly at home surrounded by his family. Robert was born in Berlin, NH on January 20, 1924 to Napoleon and Celina (Bourque) Leclerc. He attended local schools and then enlisted in the US Army in March of 1943 where he served as a heavy construction carpenter with the 295th Engineer Combat Battalion and the Amphibious Engineers. He entered WWII via the Normandy Campaign and later served in Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. Along with several other decorations and commendations, Robert was awarded the Purple Heart on March 17, 1945 for wounds received as a result of enemy action in Germany on February 25. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945 as a TEC 5.
He married Alice E. Hynes on May 29, 1948, and together they raised five children while operating the family business known as Leclerc's Auto Body Shop. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, playing cards and spending time with friends and family at the family camp on Pike Pond. After retiring as an auto body repairman in 1986, Bob started a second career as a woodworking craftsman. He spent countless hours in his workshop where he enjoyed making woodcrafts for his children and grandchildren. He became well known at local craft fairs for the quality of his cedar lined steamer trunks. After retiring from his second career, Bob became an avid jigsaw puzzle hobbyist. During his working years, Bob was a member of the Kiwanis Club and Knights of Columbus as well as a lifetime member of the VFW.
Robert was predeceased by his parents, his wife, a brother, George Leclerc of Berlin, a sister Doris LeBlond of Auburn, ME, and a grandchild Kristi Galipeau of Gorham, NH. He is survived by his sister, Jeanette Croteau and husband Richard of Berlin, sister, Lorainne Lessard of Manchester, NH, his five children, Anita Potter and husband John of Port St. Lucie, FL, Robert C. Leclerc Jr. and wife Joyce of Randolph, NH, Carolyn Leclerc of North Fort Myers, FL, Elaine Bergeron and husband Maurice of Berlin, and Laurie Binette and husband Denis of Milan, NH. Bob also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Christopher Potter of Vero Beach, FL, Amy Galipeau of Randolph, NH, Megan Strahle of Jupiter, FL, Petty Officer First Class Robert Bergeron of Suffolk, VA, Alyssa Roberts of Loudon, NH, Sarah Wedge of Berlin, Marissa Labbe of Rochester, NH, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
There will be no calling hours. A funeral mass for Bob will be held on July 6 at 2:00 pm at St Anne's Church of Good Shepard Parish, in Berlin, NH.