Leonel Edmund Libby 1934 – 2017

Winslow - Leonel E. Libby, 83, passed away Saturday afternoon October 14, 2017 at Mount Saint Joseph nursing home in Waterville, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s, with his family by his side. Leonel was born on May 21, 1934 in Winslow, a son of Alphonse and Roseanna (Paradis) Labbe. He graduated from Winslow High School, Class of 1954.

Leonel had been employed at Levine’s Clothing Store for 45 years retiring in April of 1996. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. He was a chartered member of the Winslow Jaycees, the Lions Club and the Elks Club #905.

He enjoyed bowling and playing cards, especially cribbage, pool and making puzzles. He was a big fan (die hard) of the Giants, the Patriots and the Red Sox. He enjoyed his grandchildren and loved family gatherings.

Leonel is survived by his wife of 61 years, Donna (Morin) Libby of Winslow; his two daughters: Melissa Routhier and her husband James of Vassalboro; Celeste Dechaine and her husband Bruce of Winslow; his son Mark Libby and his wife Lynn of Vassalboro; his grandchildren: Jason Rodrique and his partner Adam Smith; Nicole Hawkins and her husband James; Ryan Deschaine and his wife Alison; Stephanie Marcoux and her husband Bradley; Brett Libby; his step-grandchildren: Jamie Routhier, Jessica Routhier, Danielle Dechaine, Cassandra Dechaine; great-grandson Cooper Routhier Starkey; great-granddaughter Aria Marcoux, many nieces and nephews, as well as, one brother Robert Libby of Enfield, Conn. and sister-in-law Carmen Audet Libby of Farmington, Conn. He was predeceased by four sisters: Ida May Hallee, Jeffrine Bouchard, Cecile Patrie, Lorette Roy; six brothers: Ovide Libby, Laurier Libby, Raymond Libby, Fernand Libby, Emile Libby and Victor Labbe.

The family wishes to thank all his caretakers on Memory Lane at Mount St. Joseph for their care and kindness.

Visiting hours will be from 5 – 7 pm on Friday, October 20 at Veilleux Funeral Home, 8 Elm Street, Waterville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 am on Saturday October 21, 2017 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 26 Monument Street, Winslow. Burial will follow in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove Street, Waterville. Please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Leonel’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to: Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074.

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The following was the eulogy given in Leonel's honor at St. John's Church:

Proverbs 17:6 – Children’s children are the crown of old men and the glory of children are their fathers.

Leonel, also known as Nel or Libby, was born May 21, 1934. He was the youngest of 13 children, his Mother died was he was just 6, and he was raised by his father and siblings. He later moved in with his sister Jeffrine and her two children Ricky and Nancy. Nel was the only sibling to graduate high school, as a Junior, he had appendix rupture and missed a large part of the school year. He persevered and continued his school work through the summer, and was promoted on schedule to remain with his class, graduating from Winslow High School in 1954. At age 16 he began his work career at Levine’s as a stock boy; later becoming the top salesman for Levine’s. Nel occasionally took trips to fashion shows and buying clothing for the store. He was respected and trusted by the Levine family, in their absence he was trusted with the key, opened and closed the store and managed the upstairs apartments. Levine’s became a family affair, with Donna and the children often sending cards to clients to for Christmas and special sales. While at Levine’s he noticed a young lady often walking by, heading to her job at J. B. Friel. He told his friend he was going to date her, and was told “No you aren’t, that is a Mt. Merici Girl.” He married that Mt. Merici girl, Donna Morin September 15, 1956. Nel was dedicated to his family, and always listened and supported without judgement. He worked hard to provide for the family and always had time to help others. There was never a birthday or anniversary that went uncelebrated. He would light up when he would see the grandchildren or great grandchildren, even when he was unable to remember their names. Nel enjoyed competition, he was an avid cribbage player, bowler, and often was known to hustle a game of pool, in his younger day. He enjoyed making puzzles, and always had one in progress in the Puzzle room. Nel was an active member in the community. He was a member of the Elks Club, Lions Club and Jaycee’s. He was a devoted catholic, and attended mass regularly at St. Johns. If you visited Nel and Donna in the evening, you would often interrupt them watching the Price is Right. But don’t worry, “we can pause it”, as they would tape it daily and watch it at night. On Sunday’s you would find Nel in his puzzle room, he had two tv’s stack on top of each other, with two football games going, watching his Giants and Patriots. Growing up, the kids and the whole neighborhood, hearing his Whistle, knew it was time to come home. If you could not hear “The Whistle”, then you were too far. And when asked by their friends, what time they would be home; it was always “I Don’t Know, it could be At Seven, or At Leven.” Nel enjoyed traveling. They spent many Wednesdays at bangs beach, Oleo Beach, or renting a camp on China Lake. Nel made many lasting memories for the family. After he and Donna both quit smoking he would say, our cigarette money paid for traveling. They were able to visit Florida, Vegas, and Hawaii Nel, devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, you will be missed more than you know; we all love you…Be our forever angel in heaven.

Romans 12:10 – Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.