Emerald Isle- Octave J. "Gus" Leconte, 86, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday January 30, 2019.  His passion for life, indomitable spirit, and perpetual energy were not only contagious, but evident right up to his last breath.  He was born in Rochester, MA on January 3, 1933 a son to the late, Maria Amelia and Octave Eugene Leconte.  His mother founded The Country Whip in Acushnet, which is still a thriving business six decades later.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 am, Saturday, February 23, 2019 at St. Mildred Catholic Church with Reverend Don Baribeau officiating.  Inurnment will follow in Seaside Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends following the service.

He met his wife of 67 years while they were in junior high school and they have been a source of shared faith, strength, courage, and refuge throughout their marriage and for the challenges of health issues they each have faced in their final years together.  He had an accomplished professional career from 1951-1992 working for Myron Lawrence's Hudson Dealership, Len Chase's Chevy Dealership, Skye Pontiac in Cincinnati, Apponequet High School (1959-1965) as an Automotive instructor, and ultimately working for General Motors, first as a Cadillac Instructor in their training center in Union, NJ, moving his way up through the ranks to Assistant District Manager for Cadillac Motor Car Division.  Upon his retirement from GM, he volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, and also became an accomplished woodworker creating Carolina Shore Birds which grace the homes of family, friends, and residents of several states. He also worked for The Trailor Place in Plaistow, NH (2006-2012) for Noury Family sharing his business and mechanical skills for owners and clients alike.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Hunt Leconte;  sister, Amelia Leconte of Laconia, NH;  daughters, "The Fab Five", Ginny Snook (Chet) of Newtown, PA, Barb Luoma (Wayne) of Madison, NH, Donna Sullivan (Dan) of Derry, NH, Dianne Hensley (Jeff) of Manassas, VA, and Deb Major of Sparta, NJ; son-in-law, Walter Major of Tannersville, PA;  ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Carteret Health Care (Hospice); PO Box 1619; Morehead City, NC 28557 or to St. Mildred Catholic Church Building Fund; 616 East Sabiston Drive; Swansboro, NC 28584.

The family would like to thank Companion & Home Care of Emerald Isle and Carteret Health Care Home Health & Hospice for their loving care of Mr. Leconte.