Eric Alcide LeBlanc "The Lobster Ambassador" 1974 - 2008 Eric LeBlanc, born in Richibucto, passed away suddenly on February 18th, 2008. Eric will be sadly missed by parents, Robert and Marie (Daigle) LeBlanc; sister, Nicole; brother, Maurice (Danielle Shineton); and by life partner and very special friend, Janique LeBouthillier. He is survived by maternal grandparents, Antoine and Florence (Richard) Daigle of Acadieville; and predeceased by paternal grandparents, Alcide and Aurore (Boucher) of Richibucto. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by Aunts and Uncles, Pierre (Charlotte) LeBlanc, Jeanne-Mance (George) Robichaud, Rachel Forbes, Jean (Yvonne) LeBlanc, Carmen (Paul) Caissie, Réal (Ginette) Daigle, Suzanne (Walter) Holleran, Ronald (Blandine) Daigle, Normand (Cecile) Daigle, Jeannine Daigle, Jean (Kim) Daigle, Denise (Oswald) Hebert, Claudia (Gerard) Richard; predeceased by Adrien Daigle. He was the owner, developer and operator of Shediac Bay Cruises, operating out of Pointe de Chene Wharf. He was also employed full-time as a Loss Prevention Officer by Cooperators Insurance. Eric had a zest for life, was highly motivated in everything he did and he was driven to succeed. Eric had a special gift in being able to connect with people. His accomplishments include: at the age of 8, he completed the 30 km in the Lopet at Kouchibouguac National Park, he ranked first in the Fraser Cup Provincial Cross Country Ski Circuit, he competed twice in the Canada Games in 1991 and 1995, he won the Atlantic Canada Cross Country Ski Championship, he was an avid backpacker and hiked and guided groups on the Dobson Trail. At the age of 17 he was the youngest through-hiker to have completed, by himself, the entire 2142.9-mile Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. His taste for the sea and boating led him to pursue commercial fishing and diving. He graduated from MFR High School in 1993 and successfully completed an electronic engineering technician diploma in 1995 from RCC in Toronto. He had a taste for adventure experiencing sky diving, year round camping, kayaking, canoeing, white water rafting, mountain biking, scuba diving, downhill skiing and hunting. He was featured in several TV commercials, including Wal-Mart and the Business Development Bank; he was also featured in the documentary film "The Acadian Connection". He won the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for CBDC Westmorland-Albert. He was president of the Pointe de Chene Harbor Authority and was a finalist in the National Tourism Awards. In a short time of 33 years he accomplished a full life. In lieu of flowers, donations to Fondation des Jeux de l'Acadie, 702, Rue principale, bureau 210, Petit-Rocher, NB, E8J 1V1, (506)783-4207 FJA@nb.aibn.com Resting at Thompson's Funeral Home, 33 rue Acadie, Richibucto on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM, Friday from 2:00 PM until time of funeral. Funeral Mass - St. Louis de Gonzague Roman Catholic Church, Richibucto on Friday, February 22nd, 2008 at 4:00 PM. In care of Thompson's Funeral Home, Richibucto (506) 523-4252, www.thompsonsfuneralhome.com