Big-Hearted Outdoorsman Opened Horse Rescue

Aug. 02--Bryce LeJeune opened a haven for abused horses that has become a valued resource for humane officers.

"He would drop anything he was doing to help anyone and any animal in need," said his wife, Christina LeJeune.

Bryce F. LeJeune, 58, of Mt. Pleasant Township died in his sleep of natural causes in his home on Sunday, July 27, 2014.

Born in Babylon, N.Y., he was an insurance agent with BP Insurance Agency, Ligonier.

An avid outdoorsman, Mr. LeJeune was a member of a host of hunting and sporting clubs, and he served on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

He met Christina when she applied for a job as a cook and manager of the restaurant he used to own, the Roosevelt Room in Norvelt.

"If anybody asked him how we met, he would say, 'Well, I made the mistake of hiring her,' " Christina LeJeune recalled. "And I would say, 'I made the mistake of applying for the job.' "

They were married for 15 years.

Both loved horseback riding and were spurred to action when they learned how difficult it is to get good care for abused horses.

"We have a passion for horses, and he and I sat down and discussed what could be done," his wife said.

They started Second Chance Equine Association, with Mr. LeJeune serving as president. The group takes in injured and abused horses and treats them, helping to find new homes or foster families for them.

"I could call him at any time. If I told him I needed something, he would have it there," said Jan Dillon of the Humane Society of Westmore-land.

Mr. LeJeune was a personal friend, Dillon said.

"My horses boarded out there; his wife is my best friend. They're like family to my husband and me," she said.

The association likely will continue operating, according to Dillon.

"We're certainly going to try. It's not going to be the same, because he did so much, but we're going to try to keep it going," she said.

In addition to his wife, Mr. LeJeune is survived by his stepson, Larry Skoloda; two granddaughters; and two brothers, Neil LeJeune of Greensburg and Jeffrey LeJeune of Mt. Pleasant Township.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10 in Charter Oak United Methodist Church, 449 Frye Farm Road, Greensburg.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to Second Chance Equine Association, P.O. Box 193, Norvelt, PA 15674.

Jacob Tierney is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-836-6646 or [email protected].

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