Herve Urbain Champagne, Jr., age 87, passed away the morning of December 24, 2021 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Herve was born on June 22, 1934 in West Warwick, RI to Herve and Bernadette (Pelletier) Champagne. After graduating from LaSalle Academy in 1951 he served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Bryant University in 1959.
Herve retired from his position as Chief of Field Audit for the State of Rhode Island Division of Taxation in 1996 after 28 years of service. He also served on the Supervisory Committee, and later the Board of Directors, of the Rhode Island Credit Union for 30 years, until the time of his death.
From 1971 to 1976, Herve also turned his favorite dessert into a business as the owner of Dairy Jim, an ice cream shop on McElroy Street in West Warwick. The shop included several trucks that traveled routes throughout Kent County, often with one or more of Herve’s children on board.
An avid golfer, Herve also enjoyed trips to Foxwoods Casino, weekly lunches with his best friend Roy LaCroix, meals at his beloved Twin Oaks, and visits from his children and grandchildren.
Herve was well loved not only by his family and friends but also by the staff at the Green House Homes at the Saint Elizabeth Community, where he spent the final months of his life. He was well known for his jovial, joking manner and the occasional serenade to the staff who cared for him.
Herve is survived by younger brother Robert Champagne and sister-in-law Pauline Champagne of Coventry, son Thomas Champagne of Asheville, North Carolina; daughter Suzanne Champagne of North Kingstown; son David Champagne of Coventry; son Marc Champagne and daughter-in-law Shiela Champagne of West Hartford, Connecticut; and daughter Mary Champagne and son-in-law Geoffrey Gessner of Baltimore, Maryland. He was also the proud Pépère to grandchildren Evan Chaffey and his wife Val Wilkins; Steven, Jessica, and Austin Gibree; Luc and Mathieu Champagne, and Everett and Ah’leah Companie.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in SS. John and James Church, 20 Washington Street, West Warwick. Inurnment with military honors will follow in RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Information and condolences please visit: www.henault-gallogly.com
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