Leon R. Robarge, Jr.

Leon R. Robarge, Jr. 

Leon R. Robarge, Jr., 78, the son of the late Georgieanna (Davis) and the late Leon R. Robarge, Sr., died on Thursday June 12, 2025, at the Wrentham Developmental Center (WDC) in Wrentham, MA where he lived for the past 15 years. Prior to that he had lived at the Fernald Developmental Center (FDC) in Waltham, MA for 43 years.

Leon had intellectual and developmental disabilities that would fall under the label "special needs." And he was very special to his family, friends, and caregivers in a variety of ways. For his entire life, he saw the world through the eyes of a child. He always had a wonder and curiosity about nature and people, never judged others, and never worried about the difficulties of this world. He had a good sense of humor (though sarcastic, at times). He loved to make others laugh and he laughed easily & often himself. He loved people and didn't consider anyone a stranger, shouting, "Hi" across the room to newcomers and wanting to shake everyone's hand. He loved work as well and used an abacus to count out a certain number of different items into boxes to make simple, but important medical testing kits. He was bereft when state rules required him to retire from that job at the age of 65. The staff at the WDC enlisted him to fold towels from the laundry to give him the purpose he sought. 

In addition, there were many people, activities, and things he loved. He loved God. He loved his family and his caregivers. He enjoyed coloring, playing games on a tablet, and looking at magazines and books, asking what some of the pictured items were and showing those around him his favorite things. He delighted in good food and enjoyed coming home, when he was able, to join in the holiday feasts and family shenanigans. He looked forward to weekly lunch outings at local restaurants with his peers and caregivers at the WDC. He also enjoyed outings to Providence, RI to see a Red Sox minor league team play, and trips to the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park with his peers and WDC staffers. He was like a fish in water & loved to swim as often as possible. He also enjoyed bowling and won several Special Olympics medals for his participation in this activity. When a family member admired his medals, he insisted that she take one as a gift. He was adamant that he would not take it back, so it had to be snuck back to his room when he wasn't looking. He loved his birthdays (an international holiday in his opinion) and Christmas. He was baptized and received the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation (St. Rita's Church, Lowell) so he knew that Christmas is a celebration of Jesus's birth. He decided, however, that Jesus wouldn't mind sharing, and claimed Christmas as his half-year birthday. 

It was easy to shop for Leon, also known as "Uncle Champ/Champy". He loved several things including: wallets, watches, “big cups," radios (he adored music, especially Christmas songs), musical instruments, toy cell phones, keys on key chains and sunglasses. Since he lost these items often, we'd buy the same things for the next gift giving occasion and he'd be just as surprised, excited, and grateful as he was the first time. Perhaps his favorite thing in the world was Coca Cola and anything with a Coca Cola logo on it. He was very adept at charming people out of their dollar bills so that he could buy Coke from the vending machine at the WDC. Conveniently, he always had his wallet in hand to store the bills until they could be spent. At family gatherings, he typically left with more money than anyone else had left!  

He is survived by his nieces, Mary Ann McNamara of Hudson, NH, Eileen (McNamara) Nutter and her husband James (whom Leon considered a brother) of Dracut, MA, Georgieanna (Robarge) Lafontaine of South Carolina, Bernadette (Robarge) Wojcuilewicz and her husband Michael of Townsend, MA, Karen (Robarge) Kenney and her husband Thomas of New Ipswich, NH, Bonnie Robarge and her partner David Franciose of Lunenburg, MA, and Debra (Robarge) Farwell and her husband Kevin of Lunenburg, MA. He is also survived by two nephews, James J. McNamara, Jr., and Brian L. McNamara both of Lowell, MA. He also leaves many grandnieces and great-grandnieces, grandnephews and great-grandnephews, and cousins. 

He will also be missed by his friends and caregivers at the FDC and WDC who became a second and third family to him. His family is grateful to the entire staff, across all departments, at both facilities for their skilled and loving care. 

Leon was predeceased by his parents, his sister Virginia ("Ginny" R. Robarge) and her husband James J. McNamara whom Champ loved like a brother, and his brother, Bernard J. Robarge and his wife Althea (Reynolds). He also was pre-deceased by a nephew, Paul J. McNamara. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass to be celebrated on Monday June 23, 2025, at the HOLY FAMILY CHURCH in LOWELL at 11 o’clock followed by his burial the Edson Cemetery in Lowell. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to Donations can be made to: Wrentham Developmental Center, c/o Bill Burke, PO Box 144, Wrentham, MA 03093.  Checks should be made payable to the “Wrentham Developmental Center” with “In memory of Leon Robarge” in the memo line.  Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME - -LOWELL – MA – (978) 458-8768. 

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