Notice Of Celebration Of Life - Marty LeBlond

Hi Everyone,

I’m letting everyone know that Marty LeBlond’s Celebration of Life that will take place at the Capilano Rugby Club in West Vancouver on Sunday March the 3^rd from 2pm to 5pm. The event will be indoors and there will be snacks and a cash bar provided.

I will be emceeing the event and will create a speakers list, so if you would like to say a few words about Marty then please send me an email at pleblond10@gmail.com. Speakers will be limited to 5 minutes per person. Family members will speak first and then after a break friends will give their contributions. If you have any other questions please call me at 250-739-0499.

Thanks,
Phil LeBlond

Sad News - Marty LeBlond

The Capilano RFC family is saddened as we recently lost a much loved and valued long time member, Marty LeBlond. Those of us who had the honour of knowing Marty will miss him greatly. Marty played rugby for the club starting in 1971. He was a pleasure to know and a joy to be around. Marty was a true team player and you always knew he had your back.

He graduated from West Vancouver High School along with Bob Michael and Bruce McLellan in 1971 and they were welcomed additions to the Capilano RFC. The West Van Barbarians merged with the North Shore All Blacks in 1969/70 so they were not original Capilano players but not far off. All three joined in on the 1973 Capilano Rugby tour to Ireland. The Club trained all summer long to hit the ground running in late August. We flew out of Vancouver on a Boeing 747 Jumbo jet that had two rugby teams Capilano and UBC on board. It was quite a flight to say the least! We landed in London and met up with our fancy bus that stayed with us throughout the 3 week tour through England, Wales and Ireland and back to England. The tour was very successful and uplifted the profile of Capilano rugby and helped us rise to top of the league status when we returned home. Marty was forced to play out of position due to an over abundance of back row players and a shortage of backs. Bruce, a talented wing, caught Mono and was out for most of the tour. Marty hated to play on the wing but he had good speed and we needed him. He ran straight and hard and did an outstanding job. Marty, along with the late Tony Scott, were standouts in the Tralee 7-a side tournament and scored many tries; two Capilano sides were entered and placed first and second. He started most games and was a major part of the successful tour. Marty and Bob were young enthusiastic rugby players who were likely on their first trip away from home. We had to tone them, and others, down a bit as the off field stuff was getting a bit wild but they took it all in stride and we had a magnificent tour.

Marty played back row for several seasons when we returned home and was a great addition to the club. Marty also dedicated part of his career to coaching, both Senior and Junior. One memorable moment was the U-23 Tour that Marty led to California, following which many of the Tour players became lifers at Capilano.

He was an excellent athlete, a natural leader with a positive attitude. He was a loyal Capilano. He told me that I was a mentor to him, something that I didn’t realize at the time, but it makes me very proud.

Marty and his loving wife Sandra moved to Alberta due to the huge increase in housing prices in the Vancouver area. They bought a house in Calgary and Marty worked in the oil industry as an electrician. They moved back to BC about 4 years ago and bought a home in Nanaimo. Marty associated himself with the Nanaimo Hornets RFC but still had a strong affinity to his Capilano roots and often came over to watch his old Club, and to visit with his friends, family and Grandchildren. Marty’s daughter Justine was an excellent player on the Capilano women’s team and she met and married Capilano RFC Club stalwart Chris Lumsden.

Marty played a key role in supporting the passing of another Nanaimo based Capilano, while Don Dunbar was gradually slipping. He was a Rock! One can only hope to have such a friend! It is a tragic irony that Marty was diagnosed with cancer soon after. Marty’s health had been declining over the last year but it wasn’t until October 4, 2023 that he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma. This deadly cancer initially attacked his optic nerves resulting in complete loss of vision, before taking him down 8 weeks later. He was so strong and upbeat. His wife Sandra and children gave him much loving care and support throughout this difficult time. Many friends from school and rugby managed to get to visit with him.

The Bee Gees song “ Immortality”, sung by Celine Dion “ We don’t say goodbye” rings in my head. If you don’t know it or want to refresh it is on You Tube. The song brings tears to my eyes and the words are so fitting “I’ll keep a memory of you inside....I’ll make them all remember me.” We won’t ever forget you Marty! Your strength, courage, dignity and composure was a lesson to us all. Our hearts go out to the LeBlond family, his brothers, sisters and wife Sandra and children Michael, Justine, Kelsey and Scott.

There will be further tributes to Marty in the Spring, likely at the Capilano Rugby Club.

Written by: John Langley