David A. LeBaron

David Abbott LeBaron (Dave) passed away peacefully at his home in Whitefield on April 2, 2024, at the age of 96.

Born and raised in Canada, Dave spent his early life in the Province of Quebec, Toronto, and Montreal. He was the third child of Jean (Abbott) and Karl LeBaron and was predeceased by his brother and three sisters.

He is survived by his loving wife Joan, his children, Heather, Helen and Stuart, his grandchildren, Johanna, Jack, and Bailey, and his great-grandson, Nash.

Joan’s children, Denise, Marc, David, Valerie, Stephanie, and Catherine Bénéteau and all of their children loved him dearly.

Dave graduated from McGill University and then became a Chartered Accountant. He finished his career as business director of the Lakeshore School Board in west Montreal. He served as president of the Association of Business Directors of the English school boards of Quebec.

Dave was an excellent skier and enthusiastic bicyclist.  Among his adventures, he cycled across the Rocky Mountains of Canada in his early 50’s.

Music was a central part of his life.  He learned to play the trumpet at an early age, played in marching bands as a student, and earned money with summer bands. Dave was co-founder of the Hudson Big Band and played for many years with them before leaving Canada in 1994.

In October 1991 Dave and Joan married after having known one another professionally for 10 years.

Joan had introduced Dave to New Hampshire very early on and he shared her love of the North Country. 

In 1992 they built a house in Whitefield where they could XC ski from their door. Dave joined many musical groups, playing until he was 90 in the Berlin Jazz Band, the North Country Community Band, the Whitefield town band, and others. His interest in theatre led to his service on the Board of Directors of the Weathervane Theatre, contributing to a rich and happy life in the North Country. Dave and Joan joined All Saints Episcopal Church in Littleton where Dave acted as advisor to several treasurers. They both sang in the choir.

Dave was kind, thoughtful, giving, adventurous, fun, and friendly to all and a familiar presence in the North Country for 30 years.  He will be sorely missed.

A celebration of Dave’s life will be held on Saturday, July 27th at 11 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church in Littleton, followed by a reception.