Nelson E. LeBarron Jr.
February 28, 1963 ~ October 16, 2021
Born in:
Rochester, NY
Resided in:
Greece , NY
GREECE- Saturday October 16th, 2021, at age 58. Predeceased by son Nelson E. LeBarron III, Mother Gail Collins, Stepmother Kathleen LeBarron, mother-in-law Virginia Schirmer, nephew, Christopher LaJuett. Survived by loving wife Carol LeBarron (Szczepanski), Daughter Alexandra (Brandon) O’Buck; Son in his heart, Daniel Purpura; Father Nelson E. LeBarron Sr, Father-in-law Richard S(Barbara) Szczepanski, brother-in-law Richard L (Christina) Szczepanski and nieces Brianna, Sarah, Taylor, and and nephew Ryan (Jaime) Ballinger; brother-in-law John (Maria) Szczepanski and and nephews Matthew and Tristan; Niece Shannon (Mark) Babcock and nephew Jeffery (Danielle) Lajuett ; The Vay family: Margaret (Tim) Mahns, Donna (Ron) Honan, Tom (Karin) Vay, Larry(Laurie) Vay, Kathy (Todd) Nettnin , and their children; Bonnie(Bob) Chiella, Craig Morrison, Paulo Koroniwsky, Beverly (Frank) Musso, Clyde (Judy) Morrison and their children; Donna Golden and nephew Nathan Kessler, Brother-by-another-mother and USS Niagara Falls shipmate Jeff (Coll) L’Ecuyer, cousins, many dear friends, and a league of young men that we call “The Boys” – – faithful friends of our son that have stood at his side for 12 years.
Nelson retired from the US Navy after 26 years, as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. During the first four years of active service as a boatswain’s mate aboard the USS Niagara Falls he was stationed in both Alameda, CA, and Guam. His travels included Singapore, Hong Kong, The Philippines, Japan, Bali, Korea, and Australia. He returned to the Navy as a Reservist. He was a rig captain and top yard and stay operator for Cargo Afloat Rig Team 401. In this he specialized in transferring fuel, munitions, and stores, from one ship to another (UNREP) while underway. He especially enjoyed participating in RIMPAC in Pearl Harbor, HI, – The Rim of the Pacific – which is the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise. In 2003 he was activated and participated in Operation Noble Eagle/ Operation Enduring Freedom upon the SS Cape Gibson which took him to the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Persian Gulf. His service to his country and devotion to his fellow sailors was a passion to him. He was a true patriot.
He was an employee of The University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics as a Senior Optical Manufacturing Engineer for 28 years. There he served many roles from coater operator, optic component assembler, and laser equipment specialist. His work contributed in building LLE’s OMEGA/EP lasers in Rochester, NY, The National Ignition Facility laser in Livermore, CA, and the LMJ laser located in France. He coauthored several articles having worked on various research and development projects, notably as a key contributor to the development of an ion-etching process.
Nelson had a life-long love of comics, especially Marvel and Spiderman. He also loved movies, music, and reading books. He enjoyed traveling with family and friends, or even a day trip adventure. He enjoyed a good scotch and a good conversation.
Above all, Nelson was a loving and devoted husband and father and son. It was well known that nothing meant more to him than his family. His family grew over the years with friends who became family. He will always be remembered not only for his clever wit and humor, but also for his warmth, kindness, and character. His kindness shined through his eyes and his laughter and smile lit up a room. He will be greatly missed by a great many who loved him. Thank you everyone for the overwhelming amount of love and support. “What is grief, if not love persevering?”
Friends may call Friday (Oct 22nd) 4-7 PM at Vay-Schleich and Meeson, 1075 Long Pond Road. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday (Oct 23rd) 10:30 AM at Our Mother of Sorrows Church. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project in his memory.
Services
Visitation: October 22, 2021 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Vay-Schleich & Meeson - Greece Chapel
1075 Long Pond Road
Rochester, NY 14626
Service: October 23, 2021 10:30 am
Our Mother of Sorrows Church
5000 Mt. Read Blvd
Rochester, NY 14612
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CDR Donna Kane, NC,USNR. My heart is heavy with this news. He lived a fabulous adventure of a life. He taught me how to get sailors to do the work and make it fun. I’m sorry I can’t attend but know my thoughts and prayers are with you always.
So sorry for the loss of Nelson. My thoughts go out to the family!
So many memories, so many adventures….or should I say misadventures? Who will be the ring leader now? Who will come up with the ideas that always seemed to hold the possibility of trouble and were ALWAYS fun. You were one of a kind and I will miss you so much. Rest well my friend!
I am sorry for your. RIP brother fair winds and following seas
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers to the family.
Capt Steven Loucks (USN Ret.), Past Deputy Director of LLE
You were a pleasure to work with and just a great person to be around. Take care
My thoughts and prayers go out to the familly. Nelson will be greatly missed at the LLE.
We will miss your wit and integrity
All of us at LLE share in the grief and sadness of Nelson gone too soon. Words are never adequate at these times. Nelson was a wonderful employee and he will be missed but not forgotten.
Sam
I pray that God brings you strength and comfort during this difficult time. May the day soon come when thoughts of Nelson bring a smile to you face instead of tears to your eyes.
Sending love,
Loretta Chrzan-Williams
I just heard of the loss of my long time “sweetie” Nel. I had the pleasure to see this young man grow up to be the caring and spiritual hero he was to his family and friends. I’m sorry to all of us he left behind. He made friends for life , from the family and friends from Stoneridge days to the brothers in the service . I know he will have a cup of tea ready and waiting for him as he enters
Heaven as his Mother and Nonnie have been waiting for him. Boy, is he going to be busy.
Till we meet again.
So sorry to hear about Nelson.
Thoughts and prayers.
Amy said it all – great guy who will be missed by all. I can only add, “Fair winds and following seas shipmate – we have the watch.”
Rest In Peace shipmate. My honor to have served with you. We will share a San Miguel, swap sea stories, compare tattoos and scars a little further up the road.
To say goodbye to one of my favorite coworkers whom I had the pleasure to work, laugh, and cry with for twenty-eight years. There are no words that can express the depths of my sadness or the immense gratitude for having the privilege of being part of your OMEGA family.
Nelson’s spirit, integrity, and legacy will be forever remembered in my heart.
My deepest condolences to all.
Hope D’Alessandro
To say goodbye to one of my favorite co-workers whom I had the pleasure to work, laugh, and cry with for twenty-eight years. There are no words that can express the depths of my sadness or the immense gratitude for having the privilege of being part of your OMEGA family.
Nelson’s spirit, integrity, and legacy will be forever remembered in my heart.
My deepest condolences to all.
Hope D’Alessandro
I still cannot believe that he is not with us anymore. I will always remember him. Nelson was such a fantastic person and a great friend of mine.
May God give your family the strength to cope with this saddened time.
I knew Nelson from the UR Laser Lab. Nelson was one of a kind. He kept it real and knew when to get serious. My condolences to the family. You haven’t lost him, you know where he is and he’s resting in peace.
Sarah Frasier
Chief Diana Cromie, Retired