Lt. Colonel Anthony "Tony" P. Lefebvre, 67, of Duxbury, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 27, 2024, after a long illness.

Tony was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, on December 5, 1956, the son of Richard and Claire (Tessier) Lefebvre. The youngest of four boys, he was raised in Franklin, New Hampshire, attended St. Mary's School, and graduated from Franklin High School in 1975, where he met Gail Cate, his high school sweetheart and wife of 47 years. At Franklin High, he was an All-American football player and served as student council president.

After graduation, Tony attended Plymouth State College and completed the U.S. Air Force ROTC program. Tony and Gail married in 1977 and welcomed their first child soon after. He joined the Air Force as a commissioned officer in 1979, beginning a career that spanned 20 years, six assignments, and a Desert Shield deployment. Tony served as an Intelligence Officer and was recognized as the USAFE Intelligence Officer of the Year and awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal, among others. A respected, dependable, and loyal colleague and leader, Tony retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel in 2000. He and Gail settled in Bedford, MA, and he continued working as a defense contractor supporting the military intelligence community until his retirement in 2018. Tony and Gail spent much of their time at their family home on Webster Lake in Franklin, NH, a familiar spot that brought Tony much happiness and comfort, especially in his later years.

Above all else, Tony was a family man. A devoted husband to his wife Gail, they built a life together and loving home for their family wherever the Air Force sent them. A committed father, Tony was always present for his children, whether helping them build a pinewood derby car for Boy Scouts, cheering at their sporting events, moving them from one apartment to another, negotiating the purchase of their first car, or providing a calming voice when needed. Tony fully embraced being "Papa" to his eight grandchildren and was never happier than when spending time with them. Tony loved sports, especially the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. One of his fondest recent memories was attending the Patriots Super Bowl in 2017 with his long-time friend Jim Metcalf. Always an athlete, Tony was an avid runner, skier, and biker, taking his family on many biking adventures along the farmers' paths in the fields near their home in Germany and clocking countless miles on the bike path between Bedford and Cambridge, MA. Tony enjoyed history, the beach, bird watching, movies, Seinfeld, and gardening. He gave his time generously, serving on his church's parish council and volunteering at the local community food bank. His was certainly a life well-lived.

Tony is survived by his devoted wife, Gail (Cate) Lefebvre of Duxbury, MA; his loving children Katie Lefebvre of Atlanta, GA, Kristen Harkinson and husband, Ben, of Norton, MA, Dan Lefebvre and wife, Mary, of Duxbury, MA, and David Lefebvre and wife, Anna, of Milton, MA; his eight grandchildren Lucy, Maeve, and Sadie Harkinson, Dev Chopra, Josie, Will, and Henry Lefebvre, and Jacob Lefebvre; his brothers Rene Lefebvre and wife, Sharon, of Andover, NH, Alan Lefebvre of Tilton, NH, and Ronnie Lefebvre of Tilton, NH; his brother-in-law Gregory Cate and wife, Deborah, of Manchester, CT; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Papa, rest peacefully knowing how fiercely you are loved and admired.

A Mass celebrating Tony's life will be held Friday, July 5, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Holy Family Catholic Church, 601 Tremont Street in Duxbury. Burial will be on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy, in Boscawen, NH.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Tony may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.