Lest We Forget: 25835 Officer Cadet Mathieu LeClair

The death of an RMC cadet touches everyone in the RMC family and reverberates across the nation. OCdt LeClair passed away unexpectedly on 28 Feb 2012. Mathieu LeClair was a stand-out cadet. He was driven, motivated, athletic, intelligent and popular. He was beloved by his friends and peers, always willing to help, with a ready smile and a love for life. He will be sorely missed. Toutes mes sympathies à la famille.

The unexpected death of Mathieu Robert LeClair occurred in Kingston, Ontario on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. He was born on June 16, 1991 in Saint John, NB to Mireille Basque and Danny (Gladys) LeClair. At the time of his death, Mathieu was attending the Royal Military College of Canada and was a member of the college’s collegiate basketball team.

Mathieu loved life. He was disciplined, ambitious and organized from a young age. He had eyes that sparkled brightly and a big beautiful smile. He was kind and generous to all. Many were aware of this young man’s presence. He was an extremely social person and a gifted athlete. He loved his family and always enjoyed any special holiday spent at Mémére’s house. From the age of 12 to18, he was enrolled as an Air Cadet for the Royal Canadian Air Cadets Simonds Squadron #527 rising to the title of Warrant Officer II Band Leader and was selected for an International Cadet Exchange Program where he had the pleasure to travel to Washington DC and to Texas. A 2009 graduate from Simonds High School, he was awarded an outstanding $80,000 Cadet Scholarship from the Royal Military College in Kingston ON. The Regular Officer Training Program is a fully subsidized degree program and Mathieu was in the process of completing his 3^rd year in the Engineering program. In his senior year at Simonds High School, he traveled with his classmates on an educational trip to Greece and Italy. He played on both the Junior Varsity and the Varsity Basketball Teams.  He was a member of the School Band and a member of the Drama Club. As a drama club member he had parts in both the Guys and Dolls and Foot Loose plays. As an Air Cadet he favored the Air Forces Division of  the Armed Forces. Mathieu was a dedicated and an extremely hard worker who would always go the extra mile for an employer. Mathieu was a tremendously bright and gifted young man who touched many lives. A life that touches others is a life that will go on forever. Mathieu will live on in us and in our memories with great love and much fondness. Mathieu was a very, very special young Man.

— Obituary from http://www.brenansfh.com/obituaries/69003