A Thorold man who leaped into the Welland canal to save his daughter’s puppy from drowning is being remembered as a selfless family man with a big heart.
36-year-old Michael LeBlanc passed away on October 14 at the Niagara Falls hospital after a long fight to recover from the injuries he sustained in the dramatic incident that took place in January of last year.
“Like everything Michael did in life, he showed so much selflessness during the incident,” said Michael’s sister-in-law, Nicole O’Connor in an interview with ThoroldNews.
“The act showed how much he loved everybody and all creatures. He was always there to help anyone out, no matter the situation.”
It was on the first Saturday of 2019 that Michael, during a walk with his wife Jennifer and their daughter Emma, jumped after his daughter’s new puppy Callie who by accident had ended up in the frigid waters of the Welland canal.
Despite there being no ledges to grab on to, Michael managed to push the dog out of the water while his family fought to bring him back onto land.
During his struggle to stay afloat, Michael lost consciousness and had to be revived by Thorold Volunteer Firefighters on the scene, before being rushed to Hamilton hospital, where he was put on life support.
In a rollercoaster progression, Michael drifted in and out of the coma, with an uncertain prognosis ahead.
“There were times where he showed a lot of progress. Other times it backpedaled,” Nicole said.
“The doctors gave us hope because he at times showed signs of getting better.”
During his extended time in hospital care, Michael’s family rallied around him.
“He was able to communicate with hand signals and his eyes. When his wife and kids would walk into the room, he would light right up,” Nicole said.
On a rare occasion, he was able to make a trip out of the hospital, where he was surrounded by friends and family for a big get-together.
Despite brain injury, his memory for those he loved didn’t fail.
“He showed that he did remember everyone he knew.”
Slowly, the prognosis started to look dimmer, as the injuries began to take a toll on Michael’s body.
He passed away at the Trillium wing at Niagara Falls hospital.
Nicole O’Connor says the memory of Michael will live on through his wife, five children, two grandchildren – and Callie, the shepherd/mastiff mix who is alive and well thanks to Michael’s bravery.
“He loved animals. Reptiles, dogs, the stray cats that he took in… He always had animals around,” said Nicole.
One sign of the Leblanc family’s presence in the Thorold community was the support that came to the family after the incident.
Nicole said the help from the Vargovic family, owners/operators of Hana’s Place, and the Summit Place Tavern meant much to the Leblanc’s.
“They helped out in a big way.”
To honor Leblanc’s legacy, Nicole O’Connor urges readers to donate to local animal rescue organizations.
“Callie is a rescue dog. If you can, please open your homes to take in rescue animals.”
Michael Leblanc leaves behind his wife Jennifer, five children, two grandchildren, three brothers, and his mother and step-father.
The funeral service will be held this week.
