Francis J. Champagne, 81
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. â€' Francis J. Champagne, 81, of 1556 Massachusetts Ave. died Monday afternoon, March 29, 2004, at home.
Born in North Adams on April 2, 1922, son of Joseph A. and Anna M. Bouchard Champagne, he attended schools in North Adams, including Drury High School.
Mr. Champagne was employed by General Cable Corp. in Williamstown, retiring in 1980. He had earlier worked at the former H.W. Clark Biscuit Co. and the former Sprague Electric Co., later at the former Armour Meat Co. for about 11 years.
He was a communicant of Our Lady of Mercy Church, formerly Our Lady of Incarnation. He was a member of the Greylock Community Club.
He enjoyed camping, fishing, flying, playing golf and playing cards. While at General Cable, he was a shop steward for the union.
He and his wife, the former Betty Margaret Gebo, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Feb. 12. They were married in St. Francis' Church.
Besides his wife, he leaves three sons, Wayne H. Champagne and Clark E. Champagne, both of North Adams, and Kenneth G. Champagne of Minot, Maine; three daughters, Bonnie E. Cyrulik of Adams, Janet L. Zappula of North Adams and Kimberly A. Fortini of Cheshire; a sister, Beatrice Hill of North Adams, 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. A son, Frankie James Champagne, died June 12, 1969.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Leo Champagne and George Champagne, and a sister, Irene Boucher.
FUNERAL NOTICE â€' Private graveside committal services and burial for Mr. Champagne will take place Saturday, April 3, at 11 at the family plot in Southview Cemetery, North Adams. There will be no calling hours.
Memorial donations may be made to VNA & Hospice of North Berkshire in care of FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St. North Adams, MA 01247.