Roberts (Bo) LeBoutillier, former President of Waterloo Gardens Inc., died on Sunday, October 21, 2001, at his home in Exton. He had been challenged by ALS (Lou Gerhig's Disease) for over eight years.

He became the first full time employee of Waterloo Gardens in 1951 when he married Linda Paolini, whose parents, James and Anna Paolini, founded Waterloo Gardens in 1942. Bo became a partner in the business with his father-in-law and purchased the business in 1972 when his father-in-law retired. He developed the business into one of the top ten independently owned garden centers in the country and the largest and most diverse garden center in the tri-state area.

Bo LeBoutillier was truly a leader in the garden industry and founded ECGC (East Coast Garden Centers), an association of independent garden centers who exchanged ideas to enhance the operations of their own businesses and the industry as a whole.

He served on the zoning board of West Whiteland Township for many years until his illness made it impossible for him to continue.

Together with his family, he has been active in the ALS Hope Foundation in Philadelphia, hosting fund raisers each March at the Exton location to benefit research for those suffering from ALS.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, of Exton, with whom he shared 50 years of marriage. He is also survived by his five children, a son, Roberts LeBoutillier of Exton; his daughters Linda Anne, Susan, and Elise LeBoutillier, all of Devon; and Rene LeBoutillier, of Monett, Missouri. He is also survived by three sisters, Miriam Epps and Susan Norcini both of Wayne; Henrietta Palacio of St. Simon's Island, Georgia; and five grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 25, at Saints Philip and James Roman Catholic Church, 705 E. Lancaster Avenue in Exton.

Friends and family may call from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Saints Philip and James Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, October 24 or from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 25.

Interment will be at Our Lady of Fatima Mausoleum at St. Agnes Cemetery, 1050 Pottstown Pike, West Chester.

Memorial contributions can be made to the ALS Hope Foundation, PO Box 40777, Philadelphia, PA 19107