Melrose, Rensselaer County Gerard Shorty LeClair of Maple Lane passed away on Friday, January 15, 2016 at Samaritan Hospital in Troy with his loving family at his side. He was 81. Born on June 17, 1934 in Westford, Vermont, son of the late Horace and Bernadette (Rocheleau) LeClair. He is the husband of the late Catherine (Brunick) LeClair whom he married on June 7, 1958. Shorty served in the Air Force and worked as a plumber and steam fitter for the Albany Local 7. He enjoyed tractors and stock cars and belonged to both the NY and Vermont Tractor Pullers and the Schaghticoke Antique Club. Survivors include his children Gerard "Pete" (Angelina) LeClair of Troy, Kathleen (Kenneth) Perry of Troy, Nancy LeClair of Melrose and Michele (Brad Connolly) LeClair of Valley Falls. 7 siblings, 8 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Relatives and friends may call from 3-6:00pm on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at the Chase-Smith Family Funeral Homes, 173 Main Street, Schaghticoke. A memorial service will be conducted at 6:00pm in the funeral home. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Elmwood Cemetery, Schaghticoke. Kindly consider donations to the DCI Rubin Dialysis Center in Clifton Park in memory of Shorty LeClair. Online remembrances may be made at www.chasesmithfamily.com