Leslie-Ann.
Thinking of you my dear friend. I know how much you loved your dad and how much you will miss him. I'm only a phone call away when you want to go down memory lane;)
LECLAIR, John ‘Jack’ Henry
1936 - 2025
John ‘Jack’ Henry Leclair
August 30, 1936 – July 21, 2025
It is with great sadness that the family of John ‘Jack’ Henry Leclair announces his peaceful passing on July 21, 2025, at Carlingview Manor in Ottawa, Ontario, at the age of 88, after a lengthy and brave battle with dementia.
Born on August 30, 1936 in Ottawa, Jack led a life full of curiosity, warmth, laughter, and dedication to both family and community. A proud graduate of St. Patrick’s College in Ottawa, Jack embarked on a distinguished 31-year career with IBM, working in Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto. He began as a computer programmer service technician and retired as a respected departmental manager, admired by colleagues for his intelligence, leadership, and work ethic.
After retiring from IBM, Jack continued to follow his entrepreneurial spirit by opening a stationery store in Casselman, Ontario, and later delving deep into his passion for genealogy—meticulously tracing family roots and traveling across Canada and the U.S. to locate family gravestones and historical ties.
Jack was a dedicated community member throughout his life. He volunteered his programming skills to the Liberal Party in Dorval, Quebec, ran as a municipal candidate in Casselman, Ontario, and contributed to many organizations including the Casselman Chamber of Commerce, the Dorval Horticultural Society, and the Pointe-Claire Genealogy Society.
He was a man of many talents and interests: a “Jack of all trades, and Master of All” (as his daughter would so fondly proclaim), a home-video filmmaker, canoe-builder, word search and crossword enthusiast, woodworker, gardener, golfer, avid NCIS fan, reader, dancer, tech enthusiast, and DIY home renovator—long before flipping houses became a trend. Jack embraced life with curiosity, humour, and compassion, and always kept family and friends close to his heart.
As Jack liked to say:
“Life is like a roll of toilet paper—the closer you get to the core, the quicker it goes!” and … “If you are lucky enough to make it to 80, you’ve had a good long life.”
Jack is survived by his children Brent and Lesley-Ann, grandchildren Brendan and Justin, and great-grandson Thomas. He will also be lovingly remembered by his siblings Elizabeth (Charles Lambert†), Kenneth (Carolyn Reid†), and Paul (Denise Hotte), his sister-in-law Noreen (née Connors, married to Donald†), and many cherished nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Also, by his second wife’s children, Daniel and Pascale D’Asti.
Jack was predeceased by his beloved wife Lise (née Barabé), his son John, his parents Joseph and Loleta (née Dazé), his siblings Donald (married to Noreen) and Marlene (Edward Moffatt), his brother-in-law Charles Lambert, and his sister-in-law Carolyn Reid.
A Celebration of Life will be held in a private setting — attendance is by email invitation only.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to honour Jack by spending time with your loved ones, working on a puzzle, or simply sharing a hearty laugh over good memories—just the way he would have wanted.
The Leclair family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the compassionate staff of Carlingview Manor. Your care, kindness, and sense of humour brought comfort and joy to “Papa Jack” during his time with you.
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