Real Leonard Lanoue passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2026. In lieu of a wake, he preferred for others to celebrate him in their memories.

Real was born on December 18, 1937 to Rene and Alice (St. Onge) at the Lanoue Homestead on the Cross Road in Newport Center, VT.

Real would tell many stories of how, by 4 years old, he was steering his father's hay truck over the windrows of hay while kneeling on the seat, by 6 was driving a homemade tractor to pull the hay fork in the barn, by 9 was driving his father's brand new 1946 Oliver tractor all over the farm and by 16 was bailing hay for his father and area neighbors. He told stories of the many chickens he raised, selling the laying hens and/or the eggs to the public. Then their were the stories of having to drive a tractor and wagon loaded with logs on cold winter days to the local sawmill, wait while the logs were being milled and drive back home in the dark. And from the milled wood, he spent much time working on wood projects at the farm.

Real attended Sacred Heart School from kindergarten to the eighth grade until he decided he was not interested in furthering his education. He wanted to be a farmer and operate the farm with his Dad… Only after a year of farm work, decided it was not his cup of tea and he returned to Sacred Heart High School, graduating with a merit award in Business and Commercial Education. He furthered his education with a three year correspondent course at National Radio Institute of Washington, DC, receiving a Diploma on Professional Television Servicing Techniques.

In June of 1958, Real married Simone Belisle of Troy, VT. His proudest accomplishment was the building of his home in the summer of 1962, because of and for, his growing family and TV business. In January of 1963, Real, Simone, first born, Henriette, and a second on the way, Monique, moved into the new home that he continued to build upon over the years, which included two more children, Patrick and Bernard.

Until his TV business came to be full time, which was eventually to be known as 'Lanoue's TV Service', he pursued multiple interest and jobs like flying lessons, being a janitor at various places in the community like W.T. Grant, Jay Peak, Kraft Cheese Factory, Ethan Allen and Indian Head Plywood. He briefly served VT. Irasburg Hot Mix Plant as office manager, and at one point would take the train from Newport Center to Montreal to be a typist at Simpson-Sears. From there, 'Lanoue's TV Service' became a long career for him in the field of Electronics, serving the public for 52 years. He was respected for his knowledge of the many avenues of television service, antennas, satellites, etc. and during those years he was known as Trouble-shooter and Mr. Quasar.

Throughout his life, he was active in his town, serving as a lister, being on the zoning board, a volunteer fireman and a NVDA member. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Newport and greatly devoted to St. Anne's Shrine in Isle La Motte. He was also a member of Derby Community Circle and enjoyed many trips throughout the years.

At an early age, Real enjoyed skiing, but then took to Ski-bobbing which became his sport for 40 years, bringing him to all mountains in Northern VT, NH and Southern Quebec. Over the years, he enjoyed many activities with family and friends like card parties, music, dancing, swimming, canoeing, riding his Kawasaki motorcycle, bicycling on bike paths, hiking several parts of the Long Trail, and enjoyed camping with his Nimrod Camper, seeing new places. He was known to write many letters over the years to local newspapers expressing his opinions. And, he had special interests in locomotives, in history, and in photography to record it all.

Real was preceded by his parents Rene and Alice Lanoue, his brother Fernand Lanoue, Simone (Belisle) Graveline, two of their children, Henriette and Patrick and his friend of 30 years Shirley St. Onge.

Real is survived by a brother Alain Lanoue, sister in law Diane Lanoue (Fern's wife), niece and nephews, Lisa, Todd and Ethan. his daughter Monique Lanoue and partner David Merrill, son Bernard Lanoue and fiancé Abby Tyson, daughter in law (Patrick's wife) Michelle Lanoue, Granddaughter (Patrick's daughter) Christina Powers and her children (grandchildren) Emily, Oliver, Riley, Lillian, and several extended relatives.

A Catholic Mass will be held at St. Mary's Star of the Sea, in Newport  officiated by Fr. Roger Charbonneau on Monday April 27, 2026 at 11:00 A.M.

All are welcome.

Real will be laid to rest in St. Mary's Cemetery in Newport VT at a later date. Online condolences are welcomed at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.