RunNB Mourns the Passing of Roland Leger

Roland Leger

1939-2025

85 years

Roland Joined the Miramichi River Runners from 2000-2012

He ran 117 races with our club and was a great guy.

From 2003-2006 Roland won the 60-69 club Championship 4 time. Also from 2011 & 2012 he was the MRR Club champion in the 70-79 age group.

Though Roland has moved on, the impact he made with me and other runners in the club will be felt for years to come. Rest in peace my friend.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Roland Léger, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Born in Saint-Louis de Kent, he was the son of the late Ernestine and Léonard Léger, his adoptive parents, and the late Lucie and René Vautour, his biological parents.

He passed away on February 20 at the age of 85 after a life filled with love, kindness, and dedication to his family and friends. He was the beloved husband of Joan (née Desroches), the devoted father of Yves (Chantal) and Ghislain (Edith), and the proud grandfather of Simon (Elizabeth), Karine (Arad), Josée-Anne (Louis), and Pascale (David).

Roland was a hard worker and held several different jobs. A true “fixer,” he always found solutions and could repair just about anything, especially when it came to tractors. Roland was an accomplished athlete, cycling, running, and cross-country skiing hundreds and even thousands of kilometers each year. He loved nature and enjoyed spending time at his cottage. He was also a talented actor who was part of the Saint-Louis theater troupe for several years. He was a generous man who loved to tell captivating stories with humor and contagious enthusiasm to everyone he met.

Despite illness, he maintained his good humor and knew how to appreciate life while facing all his challenges with courage.

He is also mourned by siblings from both of his families. From the Léger side, his sister Angela Deschênes (Charles), and from the Vautour side, his brothers Gilles (Huguette), Donatien (Marie), Paul-Émile (Norma), and Jean-Pierre (Camilla), his sisters Idora (Émile), Anne-Marie (the late Vincent), Claire (Ronald), Lucille (Émilien), Pierrette (Ronald), Solange (Jean-Guy), and Lise (Armand), as well as his extended family.

In addition to his parents, Roland was preceded in death by his two brothers Gérard and Richard.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Thompson Funeral Home on Sunday, March 2, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 3, 2025, at the Saint-Louis-des-Français parish church in Saint-Louis-de-Kent.

The family would like to thank the staff of CHU Georges-L.-Dumont and Maison Albert for the excellent care provided to Roland. In memory of Roland, donations to Hospice SENB (Maison Albert) would be appreciated.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the professionals at Thompson Funeral Home, Richibucto (506-523-4252).
 

RunNB Mourns the Passing of Phil Booker

Phil Booker marked our sport in many ways. Most will remember him for his friendly demeanour, his omnipresent smile and his judicious advice to runners who had the pleasure to run with him.

Seven-time finisher of the Boston Marathon, an avid competitor on the Cabot Trail Relay Race, having done that race for 30 consecutive years and the recipient of the RunNB Personal Achievement award twice (2014 & 2018),

Phil has acquired a well-stacked display of medals and awards but he never bragged about his running feats. Phil is the longest standing RunNB President, having chaired the organization for nine years from 1992 to 1994 and from 2001 to 2008.

 "The most beautiful thing about running is the pure honesty of our actions”, Phil Booker

RunNB Mourns the Passing of Joe McGuire

Joe McGuire of Woodstock achieved remarkable success in over 200 road races, never losing a race in eastern Canada or the New England States.  His fastest marathon time of 2:27:51, established at the Halifax Marathon in 1984, stands as the third fastest time in New Brunswick. 

As a teacher at Woodstock High School, Joe also shared his love of sports by coaching soccer, basketball, hockey and baseball.  He was inducted to the RunNB Hall of Fame in 2009.

RunNB Mourns the Passing of Sylvio Bourque

The running community is saddened by the sudden passing of a beloved athlete, well known across the province and beyond. Sylvio Bourque drowned off the shore of Kouchibouguac yesterday. His spouse, Paulette Roy, was with him at the time. According to a close runner friend of Sylvio, she tried to help him reach the shore line but failed in her repeated attempts.

I met Sylvio in February 2006 when he travelled from Grande-Digue to Tracadie to participate in his first Demi-marathon de l’Acadie (DMA). He completed his 80th DMA last June. I welcomed him in my home several times for an overnight stay before the race; the discussions that we had about running, competition, relationships and leadership were always cordial, enlightening and fruitful.

Sylvio Bourque was a man of passion, convictions and actions. He was a member of the RunNB Committee from 2008 to 2016, acting as Vice Chairman in the later years of service. He is credited for spearheading the RunNB Annual Banquet, the Youth Bursary Program and the Elite Series. The 15 KM de Grande-Digue was also one of Sylvio’s remarkable accomplishments. He invested countless efforts for 10 years to make that race an attractive and popular event.

On the world stage, Sylvio competed in arm wrestling competitions in several countries winning several medals, including gold, for Canada. He even hosted two National Arm Wrestling competitions and the 2003 competition set a national record for registration numbers.

As a teacher in Grande-Digue, Sylvio promoted running for students; he organized a running program with sponsors and a point system for students K-8, recruiting close to the entire student school population.

Sylvio’s legacy for the running community include his cordiality, his innovative ideas, his passion and commitment. In a letter he wrote to RunNB Committee Members in 2016, he said about the running community: "I’ve developed solid and respectful relationships with so many great individuals. I enjoy seeing people active, happy and working to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It’s contagious!"

New Brunswick has lost a good citizen, an exceptional athlete and social contributor. RunNB wishes to offer our sincere condolences to Paulette, to his family and friends.

Donald Wade, RunNB Chairman

RunNB Mourns the Passing of Tom Reddon