Obituary of Joseph "Richard" A. LeBeau
Joseph “Richard” A. LeBeau, 91, of W. Thompson, Connecticut, passed away peacefully in the morning hours of January 5, 2026, at Matulaitis Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility in Putnam, CT.
Born on July 5, 1934, in W. Thompson, where he spent his entire life, Richard was the beloved son of the late Yvonne (Bergeron) and Alfred LeBeau. He attended Tourtellotte Memorial High School where he also played on the school basketball team. Following high school, he proudly served in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Korea and Japan before being honorably discharged in 1956.
In 1957, Richard married June (Groleau) LeBeau of Oxford, MA. They celebrated 68 years of marriage last year. June resides in Lisbon, CT with her daughter Karen.
Richard enjoyed a long and successful career with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, CT. He began as a machinist and retired as a foreman at the age of 55, receiving a golden handshake after decades of hard work and dedication. Outside of his profession, he was a true jack of all trades—mechanically gifted, always tinkering, building, fixing, or improving something. He took great pride in his home, his meticulously kept yard, and especially his large yearly garden. Anyone who visited could count on going home with fresh vegetables.
He was a fluent French speaker as both of his parents migrated to the United States from Canada. Richard was always ready with a joke and a twinkle in his eye. He loved watching the Boston Red Sox and UConn Women’s Basketball, took cherished yearly Thanksgiving-week trips to Cape Cod with his family, and enjoyed fixing cars for friends and family. In his younger years, townspeople often spotted him cruising around in his old red Chevy pickup—affectionately known as “Big Red.” He was an exceptional card player, teaching generations of his family the pitch and rummy games, where he was rarely defeated.
Richard was a familiar sight around town, walking daily to breakfast, collecting litter along the road, stopping first at Xtra Mart, and then heading to the Village Restaurant to chat with his buddies.
Richard is survived by his devoted wife June and their two daughters: Lori LeBeau Roy of Port St. Lucie, FL, and Karen LeBeau Jackson of Lisbon, CT. He leaves behind five grandchildren who adored him: Kristi Langevin Ventura of Port St. Lucie, FL; Mathew Jackson of Danielson, CT; Nickolas Roy of Brooklyn, CT; Leah Jackson of Norwich, CT; and Maegan Roy of Greenville, SC. He was also blessed with two great‑grandchildren, Brayden Roy and Bodhi Jackson , who brought him great joy.