He was born on Feb. 14, 1935 to Romeo and Beatrice (Lamarche) Leclair in Lachute, Quebec, Canada. He graduated high school from École Supérieure Lachute.
On Sept. 3, 1956 he married Flo Allaire at St. Joseph Church in Biddeford. They lived in Lachute, Quebec for a few months before relocating to Biddeford in January of 1957 where they raised their family on South Street and remained there until 2015.
Roger was always a hard worker and held multiple jobs, including carpentry, for several years. He started his career at the Saco Tannery prior to working at Donavan and Donavan Vending, Wood Structures, and Pratt & Whitney. He spent the last 14 years of his career as a facilities manager at Biddeford Savings Bank before retiring in 2006.
Growing up in Canada, Roger developed a passion for hockey at a young age. He played for several years including a stint in Canadian semi-pro leagues. When the Biddeford Ice Arena opened, Roger immediately became involved in the youth hockey program and was one of their first coaches. He also coached the Biddeford High School hockey team and was an active member of the Biddeford Athletic Association. An accomplished carpenter, Roger remodeled his home on South Street several times and enjoyed helping his children with home repairs. In his spare time, he took great pride in maintaining his yard and enjoyed spending time with his family.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Thomas and Roland Leclair; and three sisters, Gracia Mason, Theresa Cyr, and Estelle Desjardins.
Roger is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Flo Leclair of Old Orchard Beach; his son Paul Leclair of Saco; his son Marc Leclair and his wife Debra of Scottsdale, Arizona and their children Lynn Leclair, Bethany Barton and her husband Michael, and Jennifer Leclair; his daughter Francine Anton and her husband Shawn of Biddeford and their children Brooke Betteridge and her husband Mark, and Alyssa Anton; his son Claude Leclair and his wife Monica of Fulshear, Texas and their children Nicole and Kristin Leclair; his son Dennis Leclair and his wife Stefani of Scottsdale, Aarizona and their children Jordan, Brielle and Carley Leclair; his great-grandson William Leclair; two brothers, Gaetan Leclair of Montreal, Quebec and Rene Leclair of St. Hilaire, Quebec; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Visiting Hours will be 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2017 at Hope Memorial Chapel, which is located at 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. A Funeral Service will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco.
In lieu of flowers, donation’s in Roger’s name may be made to either the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 383 U.S. Route 1, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074 or Amedisys Foundation (Beacon Hospice), 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816. Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel.
To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com.
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