Robert W. Champagne
FITCHBURG - Robert W. Champagne, 94, of Fitchburg, MA and formerly of Barefoot Bay, FL, peacefully passed away on Sunday January 10, 2021 at Wachusett Rehab & Nursing Center in Gardner, MA.
Robert was born on October 6, 1926 in Rhode Island, a son of the late Josaphat and Berthe (Desilets) Champagne. Bob was a very hard and dedicated worker. He grew up in Quebec, Canada working on the family farm taking care of the animals. The family eventually moved to Leominster, MA, where he began work delivering coal to homes. Bob and his wife Georgette previously owned Airport Auto Sales. Bob, also known as P2, worked and retired from PJ Keating as a front-end loader operator.
Bob enjoyed being outdoors, tinkering in the garage and on his farm. He especially enjoyed deep sea fishing, surf casting and camping. Many summers the grandchildren went camping with Bob and Georgette. Bob did not sit back and relax too often but he was always ready to sit down to play a couple of games of cribbage.
After retirement Bob and Georgette took many trips with their camper across the country. Some of their favorite places were Labrador Canada, Alaska and Arizona. Each winter and after retirement they spent their time at Barefoot Bay, FL enjoying the warm weather as snowbirds.
The one thing that was most important to Bob was his family. He loved seeing the whole family get together. Robert leaves his wife of 71 years, Georgette (Boisse) of Leominster; his sons, Charles and Maryanne Champagne of Fitchburg, Norman and Debbie Champagne of Lunenburg, Paul and Hollie Champagne of Phillipston; his daughters, Rose Jacobs of Fitchburg, Joanne and Erikki Olkkola of Ashburnham; son in law John Lagasse of Lunenburg. He was also Pepere to 17 grandchildren: Greg and Michelle Champagne, Lisa and Ramon Paskell, Mark and Sara Champagne, Lynn and Adan Alicea, Alyssa and Chuck Mooney, Mathew Champagne, Heather Champagne, Terri and Marty Meigs, Stacy and Josh Wages, Erica and Jon Berube, Sarah Olkkola, Kim Miller, Angela and Jason LeBlanc, Stephanie and Felix Martinez, Michelle Lagasse and Christine Lagasse. Pepere also had 20 great grandchildren. Bob also leaves two sisters, Sister Pauline Champagne of CT and Marie Boucher of Leominster, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his daughter Nancy Lagasse, his foster daughter Rachael Mongeau, his grandson Jeff Stone, and his siblings, Henri Paul Champagne, Olivette Boisvert, Doris Constant, Gilles Champagne, Gertrude Beaudoin and Marcel Champagne.
The family wishes to thank the staff at
Wachusett Rehab and Nursing Center along with Compasses Hospice Care for their care of Pepere.
CHAMPAGNE - Funeral Services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road Waltham, MA 02452.