A Message to the º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ Community on the Passing of LeRoy Washburn, Former Athletics Director
I am saddened to have to share the news that LeRoy Washburn, who was a staple of the St. Thomas University community and the face of º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ Tommies athletics during his 30-year career as Athletics Director, has passed away.
Over his time as Athletics Director from 1969 to 1999, LeRoy coached numerous teams and served as our representative on the Atlantic University Athletic Association (now Atlantic University Sport) and the Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union (now USPORTS).
Perhaps his largest and most lasting impact came with the emergence of competitive varsity women’s teams in volleyball, basketball, soccer, and rugby, programs that now boast a history of success in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association, as well as his mentorship of generations of student athletes.
Beyond St. Thomas, LeRoy was a distinguished member of the sporting establishment in Canada and New Brunswick. Among many activities, he officiated at the Pan American Games, the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, and the World Cup. He also served as the Vice-President of the New Brunswick Special Olympics Association. He was inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame in 1988 and the St. Thomas University Sports Wall of Fame in 2010. He also served in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1974 to 1982, as a member for the constituency of Oromocto.
We continue to honour him each year by presenting the LeRoy Washburn Award to the º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ Tommies team that has made the most significant impact in the community. In fact, the last time we saw LeRoy at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ was at the Athletics Banquet on March 27 to present the award in his name.
Our condolences to his wife Loretta and his family many of whom have had connections to º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 16th from 3-7 pm at the Oromocto Funeral Home, 108 Winnebago Street. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, April 17th at 11:00 am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 25 Loisville Street, Oromocto. Rev. Charles Udeh as celebrant. A complete obituary will be posted at
To honour LeRoy's contributions to our community, donations can be made to the LeRoy Washburn Memorial Scholarship Fund at
Dawn Russell
President and Vice-Chancellor