Father Joe LeClair, the longtime popular Ottawa priest, has died.
St. Leonard Parish Father John Orban confirmed to CTV News Ottawa that LeClair “passed away peacefully among family” on Thursday evening.
No other information was released.
LeClair, known to parishioners as Father Joe, was a longtime priest at Blessed Sacrament Church in Ottawa’s Glebe neighbourhood.
He became a popular figure during his time at Blessed Sacrament, with parishioners driving from Ottawa’s suburbs to the Glebe church to hear his sermons. He was known as a gifted storyteller and oversaw a growth in attendance at the church alongside his own growing popularity.
LeClair presided over the weddings of former mayor Larry O’Brien and longtime Ottawa Senators player Chris Phillips, among many more.
In 2014, LeClair apologized to the congregation at Blessed Sacrament Church for defrauding the church of $130,000, saying his gambling addiction had dishonoured the church and priesthood.
“I have embarrassed and humiliated the priesthood and the church,” LeClair said in church.
“As I reflect, I regard this weakness as inexcusable. I was literally unable to control myself.”
He was sentenced to 12 months in jail after pleading guilty to theft and fraud. He was granted an early release in November 2014.
Churchgoers who spoke to CTV News Ottawa when LeClair was charged said they would be sticking by their well-loved priest. Many congregants attended his court hearings, including the day he was sentenced to jail.
After being released from jail, LeClair was an assistant priest at Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish in Moncton. He returned to work in Ottawa in 2018.
LeClair had been assisting with masses and pastoral care at St. Leonard Church in Manotick, according to the church’s website.
LeClair hosted a show on Newstalk 580 CFRA before he was charged in 2012.
