Leonard J.M. Thibodeau

Leonard J.M. Thibodeau, 88, of Sanford, died on Friday, December 21st at the Newton Center following a period of declining health.Leonard was born on July 5, 1930 to Lorenzo and Loretta (Payeur) Thibodeau in Sanford where he grew up and attended local schools, graduating from St. Ignatius High School. Following high school he served in both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army and attended West Point Military Academy. During his working life Leonard worked as a master electrician, a master plumber and an oil burner technician. In 1953 he married Lorraine Belanger and together they raised four daughters and shared 65 years of marriage.Leonard had been a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and also participated in the Knights of Columbus Color Corps. When he was younger he enjoyed going camping. He also enjoyed cheering for the local sports teams, especially the Patriots and the Red Sox. He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend and will be dearly missed.Leonard was predeceased by his parents and by two brothers, Fernand and Donald.Surviving are his wife, Lorraine Thibodeau of Sanford; four daughters, Denise Fournier of Biddeford, Peggy Worden of Florida, Julie Urbancik and her husband Matt of Michigan and Michelle Beaudoin and her husband Jim of Sanford; 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, one great great-grandchild with another on the way and several nieces and nephews.Visitation will be held at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home located at 29 Winter Street in Sanford from 9:00 to 10:30 AM on Friday, December 28th. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM at St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church located on North Avenue in Sanford. Interment with military honors will follow at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery located on Stanley Road in Springvale.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.To leave a message of condolence for the family please click on the condolences tab to the left.