Robert O. Champagne

PHILLIPSTON - Robert O. "Chum" Champagne, 78, of 30 Barre Road, Phillipston, died Thursday, May 7th in Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston. He was born in Nashua, N.H. on April 12,1931, the son of the late Albeni and Excelia (LaFlamme) Champagne, and grew up in Worcester, where he lived until 1965. Chum lived in Baldwinville for three years and lived in Phillipston for the last 41 years. Chum worked as a district supervisor for the Massachusetts Department of Public Works, where he was employed for 30 years until his retirement in 1993. During the Korean War, he proudly served in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1954 and was stationed on the USS Norris. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Occupation Service Medal. Chum was a life member of the Templeton Fish and Game Club and was a member of the Lt. Roger Warfield Post 373 American Legion in Baldwinville. His hobbies included assembling model airplanes, candlepin bowling and gardening. Chum was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved playing the harmonica. He was an ace horse shoe player and was a race car driver in the late 1950's at Westborough and Norwood Speedways. Chum enjoyed following the NFL and NASCAR racing. From 1965 to 1968, Chum was a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Templeton. He leaves his wife of 58 years, Monica E. (McNally) Champagne; four children, Sandra M. Champagne and her husband Michael Winslow of Phillipston, Diane C. LaRoche and her husband James of Leominster, Paul J. Champagne and his wife Lisa of Templeton and Stephen T. Champagne and his wife Luanne of Athol; nine grandchildren, Donna Dunn, Shawn Vaillancourt, Eric Winslow, Jill Wilson-LaRoche, Jaime LaRoche, Beau Champagne, Krystle Champagne, Kara Champagne and Kayla Champagne; ten great grandchildren, Brittany Dunn, Taylor Dunn, Kristen Dunn, Bailey Vaillancourt, Denver Vaillancourt, Jeweliannah Vaillancourt, Mikaela Winslow, Madison LaRoche, Georgia Brewer and Claire Wilson. A brother, Joseph Champagne of Florida, predeceased him. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 12th at 10 A.M. in the Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. The Rev. Francis A. Roberge will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will be in the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon. Calling hours in the funeral home will be Monday, May 11th from 6 to 8 P.M. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA. 01701. www.stone-ladeau.com