Longtime New England trainer Leonard LeBlanc, 80, died July 22, 2019.

For many years Mr. LeBlanc was a top trainer in New England, amassing more than $4 million in purses with more than 700 training victories.

The combination of Mr. Leblanc with driver John Hogan was always a powerhouse team, then Mr. LeBlanc gave his son Steve an opportunity to sit in the sulky and he didn’t fail. Steve put up big numbers also for the Leblanc Stable. Steve then took his driving and training talents to Pennsylvania and Delaware and now concentrates on training in Delaware.

Mr. LeBlanc curtailed his training a bit after the love of his life, wife Noella, died in 2013. He raced one or two to keep his hand in the sport that he loved, and he also ran the LeBlanc Standardbred training center in Gardner, Mass., where many horse people shipped from to race at Plainridge Racecourse.

Mr. LeBlanc was a quiet but interesting man with a lot of horse knowledge, and he shared it with all who came and asked for his help. He had been recognized over the years for his accomplishments by the New England Harness Writers Association.

Calling hours will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday (July 26) at the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols St., Gardner, Mass. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday (July 27) at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols St., Gardner, Mass.