Leon Francis Fagnant peacefully entered into eternal life with God on October 26, 2025 at 86 years old. Born on May 3, 1939 he was the son of the late Joseph and Lillian (Bachand) Fagnant. He married the love of his life Jeanne (Daigle) Fagnant on August 20, 1960 and they lived blissfully in love for 65 wonderful years. He was a lifelong resident of Woonsocket, RI.
Leon was a proud father to his four children Ed (Deb) David (Kay) Elaine (William) and Christine (Normand). He loved being a Pepere to his grandchildren April, Amy, Justin, Lauren, Adeline, Meredith and Hannah as well as a great Pepere (or Big Pepere) to Matthew, Brayden, Paisley, Ethan, Zane, Ellie and Riley. He was the loving brother of Fern Pincince and Gertrude Hendershot. He also leaves many cousins, nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
Affectionately known to all as “Butch” he had a larger than life personality and filled a room with his presence alone. In his lifetime, he created a road map of memories through his life, traveling across the country with his wife and four children in a 1968 international pickup truck with a piggy back camper in the summer of 1976. He traveled with friends near and far for fun trips and celebrations. From California, to Arizona, Hawaii and every where in between with his cherished wife by his side, they saw and it all. He participated in the MS 150 bicycle ride with Jeanne, enjoyed duck hunting and fishing for stripers off the coast of Rhode Island and Connecticut. He was a member of the Norwich Striped Bass Association. He raised his family in the summers at Fort Getty Campground where endless memories and life building lessons were solidified in them all. He was part of the Garlic Connection, the Italian Workingmen’s Club and a proud and involved member of the Woonsocket Elks Lodge 850 where he served as lodge chaplain. He was a tractor trailer truck driver for Standard Transportation as well as Total Transportation and a driver at Travelers Transportation in Woonsocket. He was a bartender at Foleys Tavern and St. Joes Vets hall. He served as various cooks throughout northern RI to include Ciros Tavern and Moons Landing as well as the Friday night church bingo cook in the basement of Precious Blood Church. Leon was very well known for his sell out nights of “Leon’s Lasagna” at the Elks and would create a following with his jars of prosciutto and provolone stuffed peppers. He enjoyed endless games of Keno, keeping each played slip tucked into the calendar of his shirt pocket. He loved Fords and enjoyed sitting on his front porch soaking in the sun. You very likely would find Werthers candies in his coat pockets or cup holders of his truck. Leon never hesitated to enjoy a cold draft beer, a strong Manhattan, an extra spicy extra loaded Bloody Mary, a bushel of freshly dug steamers from the family secret spot, and never once turned down a lobster. He was prouder than a peacock to be crowned the 2024 NRICA Mardi Gras King alongside his Mardi Gras queen granddaughter, showcasing his dance moves at the ball and waving to all of those on the Autumnfest parade route. Leon found a second family whom he cherished at Planet Fitness on Diamond Hill Road, where he was again treated like a king and loved by everyone there from the “morning crew.” You could find him there working out most mornings even at 86 years old.
Leon was a devout communicant and parish member for over sixty years at Precious Blood Church in Woonsocket serving as a Eucharistic minister and collections usher, receiving the Monsignor Dauray Award. He was also a parish member of St. Joseph’s Church. His faith was extremely important to him, never missing a mass or daily prayer reading. He trusted in God his entire life.
Besides his parents, Leon was predeceased by his brother Normand Fagnant and his sisters Germaine Nadeau and Jeanne Paquette.
He lived his life bold and with much indulgence always, teaching us all to take every second of life and live it to its fullest. Above all else, he loved hard and was not afraid to let you know that he “loves you bunches”. Family was everything to him and he was a true patriarch, proud of everything his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren ever accomplished. He will be terribly missed until the end of time.
Butch has requested that when you think of him after he is gone, to be happy and laugh at the things you may have done with him. Leon’s family would like to thank everyone who knew and loved him, for being part of his extensive road map of life. How lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.
Cheers, to a life well lived.
Everyone is welcome to gather to honor, remember and pray for Butch at his funeral Monday November 3, 2025 at 9:00 am from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. Joseph Church, 1200 Mendon Rd. Woonsocket. Burial will be at a later date. Visiting hours for Butch to celebrate his wonderful legacy of love are Sunday November 2nd, All Souls Day, from 3:00-7:00 pm at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers and in honor and recognition of Butch memorial donations in his memory may be made to Precious Blood Parish c/o 34 Joffre Ave. Woonsocket, RI. 02895.
www.menardfuneralhome.com