Richard "Dick" Peter Champagne

Richard "Dick" Peter Champagne Sr., 94, a longtime resident of North Attleboro, MA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at the home of his son in Coventry, RI, surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of the late Jeanne Y. (Bettez) Champagne and the late Constance M. (Heon) Jillson. Born on January 25, 1924 in West Warwick, RI, he was the son of the late Romeo C. Champagne and the late Regina C. (Gendron) Champagne. Dick proudly and honorably served our country in the United States Navy, having enlisted during World War II and serving three years aboard the U.S.S. Santa Fe CL60, a light cruiser in the Pacific Ocean from Attu to Japan. He was meritoriously awarded sixteen Battle Stars, and numerous ribbons, medals and citations for his distinguished service. Once home from the war, he began his work in the lace trade as an Apprentice with his father serving as his teacher, then becoming a Journeyman Twisthand or Lace Weaver at Bancroft Lace in West Warwick, RI. He also worked at York Lace and Seekonk Lace in Pawtucket, RI. Dick was a proud union member of the Amalgamated Lace Operatives of America, having served as a member of their Board. He worked at Vincent's T.V. in West Warwick, RI, as a school crossing guard in North Attleboro, and volunteered his time and efforts delivering Meals on Wheels through the North Attleboro Council on Aging. Dick was an avid square dancer and round dancer with several clubs in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and enjoyed annual reunions of his fellow servicemen from the U.S.S. Santa Fe. More than anything, he cherished spending time with his beloved family. Dick was the loving father of Donna M. Stromley and her husband, Michael Stromley, of Dade City, FL; and Richard "Ricky" P. Champagne Jr. and his wife, Gail A. (Baribeault) Champagne; and dear step-father of Leon W. Jillson and his wife, Barbara J. (Cabral) Jillson, of North Attleboro, MA; and Gregory A. Jillson and his wife, Flavia P. (Costa) Jillson, of North Attleboro, MA. He was the proud and adoring grandfather of ten grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Dick was predeceased by his siblings: Rita Theroux and Dorothy Delvecchio, and his late great-grandson, Lee Joseph Killingsworth. He leaves several nieces and nephews; his lifelong friend, Wilfred "Bonhomme" Lavoie of Chatham, MA; and many dear friends. Friends and family are cordially invited to honor and remember Dick by gathering for a Visitation with Veteran's Honors on Friday, July 20, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA, immediately followed by a Funeral Service at 4:00 p.m. at Dyer-Lake Funeral Home. Burial with full Military Honors in the Rhode Island Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Exeter, RI will be privately held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick's name to either the Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Suite 745, Boston, MA 02215, or to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904. For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com .? Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200