BANGOR – Linwood Francis LeClair, 86, died June 16, 2008, at a Bangor hospital. He was born Jan. 15, 1922, in Millinocket, the son of Joseph A. LeClair and Phoebe (St. Peter) LeClair. Linwood was the oldest of five children and two cousins, who were raised in Orono. After graduating from Orono High School, he joined the Navy and became a motor machinist’s mate, second class, serving in the Pacific in World War II with an honorable discharge in December 1945. After the Navy, Linwood worked for New England Telephone for 38 years in Aroostook County and Bangor, retiring in 1984. Linwood married Verda Thompson of Orono in June 1947. Linwood and family lived in Limestone many years before relocating to Bangor in 1964. After retiring Linwood and Verda enjoyed time at their camp in Steuben and relished annual summer visits for more than 20 years with family and friends in Duxbury, Mass. Linwood was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bangor. He was a member of Telephone Pioneers, Retired Couples Club, Heart to Heart volunteer program at Eastern Maine Medical Center and Cardiac Fitness Oatmeal Club. Linwood proudly marched with the World War II veterans in the Memorial Day parades, until recent years. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Verda Thompson LeClair, with whom he raised four children. He is also survived by daughters, Linda LeClair of Bangor and Mary Graf and husband, Matt, of Essex Junction, Vt.; sons, James LeClair and wife, Patti, of Belfast, and Robert LeClair and wife, Ellen Kuhn of Tenafly, N.J.; grandchildren, Richard Graf and wife, Angela, of Gray, Emily Graf of New York City, Matthew Graf of Burlington, Vt., and Hannah and Malcolm LeClair of Tenafly, N.J.; great-grandchildren, Gavin Paddack by brother, Alfred LeClair and wife, Janet, of Bradley, brother-in-law, James Treadwell and wife, Carole, of Orono; sisters-in-law, Ethel LeClair of Kittery, Frances Treadwell of Orono, Virginia Treadwell of Old Town and Elaine Wade and husband, Jerald, of Bangor; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Caritha and husband, Wilfred Cyr; brothers, Raymond LeClair and Henry LeClair; his cousins, John Mackin and wife, Annalee, and Alfreda Morneault and husband, Camille; and brothers-in-law, Lyndon and Arthur Treadwell. Linwood will remain in the hearts of his wife and family forever. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 20, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, June 21, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 768 Ohio St., Bangor, with the Rev. Thomas Lequin, pastor, presider. Interment will be after at Riverside Cemetery, Orono. Friends wishing to remember Linwood may make donations to Healthcare Charities, care of Eastern Maine Medical Center, P.O. Box 931, Bangor, ME 04402-0931. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.