Died surrounded by family on August 21, 2026, aged 92.
Our beautiful Mom passed away in 2008, and Dad’s world was missing its ray of sunshine as was ours.
He was the eldest of 8 children to Hector and Sarah (Harrison) Champagne. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Len, and Eddie and sisters Muriel, Pat, Janet, and Jackie. Roger is survived by his brother Phil (Marlene) and brother-in-law Claude (Jackie), sister-in-law Marie (Eddie) and 63 nieces and nephews.
He met the love of his life at a dance at the community centre when he was 16. Across the room he spotted Mom and the rest was history. Inez Danis became Inez Champagne on August 29, 1953, and together they built their family. They were married for 55 years and had 4 children. Madelaine 1954, Joseph (Joey) 1955, Kathy (Mike) 1958 and Danny (Fiona) 1962. Madelaine and Joey were on this earth for way to short a time but were always a part of our family and were honoured, treasured and loved dearly.
They had 4 grandchildren, Tim (Angie), Karley (Chris), Matt, and Chelsea (Scott) and a bunch of great grandchildren.
Family was everything to Roger and he was deeply loved by all and married into an even bigger family when Mom brought 12 more siblings into his world……. and a mother-in-law Helene whom he adored.
Roger Champagne started his adult career working in a bank, after graduating grade 13 at age 16! Then off to Beach Foundry for his first of two engagements there. In the early 60’s they packed up the family and moved to Arnprior. While in Arnprior, dad worked all day and attended university in Ottawa in the evening to become an accountant. There they met all kinds of friends and really enjoyed life to the fullest. Roger worked at Pfizer in Arnprior and both he and mom started curling with friends. Dad and three others competed all over Ontario and Quebec. He curled right into his 80’s.
In the 1970’s it was back to Ottawa where dad returned to Beach Foundry for a couple years before wrapping up his career with a 20 year stay with the Federal Government. Bells Corners become home and life was enriched yet again with friends and neighbours.
Roger served his community for decades with his brothers at the Knights of Columbus, another gang of people that became dear friends. He also coached the curling for special needs adults for many years.
The words below are Dads; words he left us to discover upon his passing.
“I have been singularly blessed all my life because my life has been filled with so many wonderful people. I was born into a large family with the world’s greatest parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandfathers; and then I met the most wonderful gal in the world and married into an even bigger family with much more of the same. On top of that I accumulated an enormous bunch of friends through work, recreation and social activities. Blessedly, some of these friendships have lasted for decades. I have always felt that I was a very happy person. Looking back now I know it was because every day was made happy for me by someone else. So many of my treasured family and friends have gone on but so many are still around. Of course I have been especially blessed with each of you. Kathy and Mike, Danny and Fiona, Tim, Angie, Justin, Logan, Karley, Chris, Hailey, Logan, Carter, Matt, AJ, Inez, Chelsea, Scott, Nash, and Colt. Please find a way to let everyone know how very much they all meant to me and thank them for me”.
Dad….consider it done!
Friends are invited to a funeral service that will take place in the Pinecrest Chapel on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026, at 11:00 am. A reception will follow.
For those who wish to attend virtually, please use the following link on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026, at 11:00 am; https://together.oneroomstreaming.com/R7ZS38
