Joseph Denis LeBlanc was born in 1940 in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he grew up active in the Boy Scouts, athletics, and the Catholic Church. A graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a degree in electrical engineering, Joe played lacrosse in college—keeping it a secret from his mother until his final game against local rival Holy Cross, which she proudly attended.
Joe began his career at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut, before serving as First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, where he earned the Distinguished Service Medal. While stationed in Washington, D.C., he met and married Joanne Collins. Following his Army service, the couple lived in Greenfield, Massachusetts before settling in Topsham, Maine.
Over the course of his professional career, Joe worked for Yankee Atomic Electric Company in Rowe, Massachusetts; Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company in Wiscasset; and Central Maine Power Company in Augusta. He went on to earn both MPA and MBA degrees from the University of Maine. Later, he traveled weekly to Waltham, Massachusetts, to work on biomass renewable power stations for Thermo Electron Energy Systems.
Joe was defined by his love of family, commitment to service, and enduring spirit of adventure. He served on the MSAD 75 School Board, where he played a key role in transforming Mt. Ararat High School. A devoted father, he coached youth soccer for the Topsham Youth Soccer Association—most famously leading the “Stompers” in the 8–9 age group for more than a decade. He took immense joy in watching his sons, Matthew, Michael, and Stephen, participate in soccer, lacrosse, skiing, snowboarding, and especially ice hockey, whether in the rink or on the pond.
After his divorce, Joe shared nearly three decades with his partner, Jean Karpenko. Together, they embraced a love of the outdoors—skiing at Sunday River and in Utah, whitewater rafting on Maine rivers, and snorkeling in beautiful, far-flung locations.
Joe also founded LeBlanc Associates, initially focused on the power industry but later specializing in commercial and residential dock permitting along the shores of Midcoast Maine. He found deep peace and pride in Maine’s natural beauty, loved sailing on Harpswell Sound, and cared for his beloved black cats, first Shadow and later Princess.
Joe passed away in November 2024 at the age of 84. In his memory, his family has established this endowed scholarship to benefit graduates of Mt. Ararat High School. Awards will be based on financial need, with half of the annual endowment award supporting students pursuing a four-year college degree and the other half supporting those entering vocational trades.