Richard L. LeBlanc passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital on Tuesday, October 2, 2012. He was 73 Years of age. He was born in Boston to the late Alphie & Elizabeth (Surette) LeBlanc. Richard was raised in Stoneham, attended Stoneham Schools and entered the US Army on October 12, 1960 and served his country proudly during the Vietnam War until October 11, 1966. Mr. LeBlanc worked as a firefighter for the Town of Stoneham from 1973 until his retirement in 1999. He also was the founder and owner of Andirons Inc. and Chimney's R US. Where he was a talented mason; building chimneys, doing replacement liners and chimney sweeping. Mr. LeBlanc was also the founder and creator of the Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild. He lived in Stoneham for many years and a resident of Melrose for 20 years. Richard was an avid skier, an accomplished fly fisherman, was a member of the VFW Harold O'Young Post # 2394 and the Massachusetts Firefighters Association. But most of all he was a loving husband and devoted father. Richard was the husband of Sharon L. (Penney) LeBlanc. Father of Caitlin E. LeBlanc of Medford and Ryan R. LeBlanc of Andover. Brother of John "Johnnie White" LeBlanc, Lawrence LeBlanc, Ernest LeBlanc, David LeBlanc all of Stoneham, Jean LeBlanc of Woburn and the late Earl & Donald LeBlanc and Elizabeth Boudreau. Also survived by numerous, nieces, nephews, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws and friends. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Saturday, October 6th At 9AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick's Church, 71 Central St. Stoneham, at 10AM. Relatives & friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours Friday from 4:00-8:00PM. Interment with military honors at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. US Army Vietnam War Veteran& Retired Stoneham Firefighter. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen St. 2nd Floor, Framingham, MA 01701. For obituary, directions, to sign guest book or view online tribute please visit www.gatelyfh.com