State Funeral of the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc

Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and her husband Jean-Daniel Lafond paid their last respects to former governor general, the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc.

After the funeral, the National Flag of Canada was presented to Geneviève LeBlanc, daughter of the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc, by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada.

State funerals are a public event held to honour and commemorate present and former governors general, present and former prime ministers and sitting members of the Ministry. It provides an opportunity for the public to participate in demonstrations of national grief.

“ The country has lost a devoted Canadian who did his best to serve with humility and compassion.” – Eulogy from Dominic LeBlanc, son of the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc.

As Governor General, Roméo LeBlanc is mostly remembered for the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award, that he launched in 1996 to recognize the everyday courage and dedication of ordinary people who have made extraordinary contributions to their families, communities or country. The award was created to recognize these special volunteers -- the unsung heroes of our country.

In his installation speech, Roméo LeBlanc said "If I am to be known for anything, I would like it to be for encouraging Canadians, for knowing a little bit about their daily, extraordinary courage. And for wanting that recognized." Installation speech, February 8, 1995.

After less than a year in office as Speaker for the Senate, on February 8, 1995, Roméo LeBlanc was appointed Canada's 25th Governor General of Canada, a position he held until October, 1999. He was the first Acadian and first Maritimer to serve.

The funeral service was held in Saint Thomas Church, in Memramcook, where late Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc was also christened.

A procession followed the lying-in-state in the Old Chapel, at Memramcook Institute. It lead to Saint Thomas Church. Family, close friends and dignitaries formed the procession, escorted by RCMP guards.

The military insignia was presented to Dominic LeBlanc, son of the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc, by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada.