Ottawa’s Father Joe LeClair, dies after years of ministry and high-profile fraud conviction

Father Joe LeClair, a well-known Ottawa priest who attracted large congregations and later faced a high-profile fraud conviction, has died.

Father John Orban of St. Leonard Parish confirmed to CTV News Ottawa that LeClair “passed away peacefully among family” on Thursday evening. No further details about his death were released.

LeClair served for years at Blessed Sacrament Church in Ottawa’s Glebe neighbourhood, where his storytelling and sermons attracted worshippers from across the city.

Known affectionately as Father Joe, he became a prominent figure in Ottawa’s Catholic community and officiated weddings for former mayor Larry O’Brien and former Ottawa Senators player Chris Phillips.

However, his career was overshadowed by a fraud scandal in 2014, when he admitted stealing $130,000 from his church to support a gambling addiction.

“I have embarrassed and humiliated the priesthood and the church,” LeClair told parishioners at the time.

He pleaded guilty to theft and fraud and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, receiving early release in November 2014.

Despite the conviction, many parishioners continued supporting him and attended his court hearings.