LAWRENCE — Whether you were a dignitary or a drug addict, Robert “Lefty” LeFebre treated you the same.
“He treated others the way he wanted to be treated himself. He was a class act,” said Lefebre’s longtime friend, Robert Sheehan of Sheehan’s Towing in Methuen.
“He was just a true Lawrencian…He was Lawrence through and through,” Sheehan said.
Sadness enveloped the Lawrence Police Department and the community after LeFebre, 59, died on Wednesday of pancreatic cancer.
“We are always saddened when we lose a family member and he was a member of our family,” said Lawrence Police Chief Maurice Aguiler on Friday.
LeFebre was a recently retired LPD detective after 23 years on the department. He worked on the Street Narcotics Enforcement Unit and was assigned to task forces with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations.
The 2004 Greater Lawrence Exchange Club Officer of the Year, LeFebre was known for his relentless determination, hard work and tenacious attitude, fellow officers said.
“While Lefty was an exceptional detective, he was an even better friend, partner, and family man. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son and brother who balanced the demands of his career with unwavering commitment to his family,” LPD said online.
After his retirement from LPD, he worked as a police officer at Harvard University.
Before LPD, LeFebre was a standout athlete at Lawrence High School, earning varsity letters in football, hockey and baseball. A 1984 LHS graduate, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1987 and New York Yankees in 1988. He was later inducted into the LHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
Sheehan said LeFebre was also an excellent baseball coach and enjoyed working with his kids and others to fine-tune their skill. He said even a short session with him could improve an athlete.
“He was a fantastic coach and even if he only had 15 minutes, that kid would come out swinging. He really had a knack for it,” Sheehan said.
LeFebre was born in Methuen and was the son of Kathleen (Schiavone) LeFebre of Lawrence and the late R. Robert LeFebre.
He is also survived by his wife, Lynn B. Carroll; his children, Patrick DiMartino and his wife, Vanessa, of Salisbury, Kathleen and Michael LeFebre, both of Methuen; his brother, Peter LeFebre, and his wife, Christina, of Salem, N.H. and his grandchildren, Adalynn, John, and Julian DiMartino. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours are from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen.
His funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 15 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel.
Burial will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence.
Follow staff reporter Jill Harmacinski on Twitter/X @EagleTribJill and Threads at jillyharma.