Paul Joseph Champagne, who retired to Plymouth after more than 50 years at the Harvard Cooperative Society, died peacefully June 23, after a long illness.
Born in Dorchester, MA on Feb, 28, 1947 to the late Anna (O’Callahan) and Edward L. Champagne, he was raised in Brighton along with his late brother Edward F. They moved to Watertown, MA when Paul was in elementary school. He graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1964, and continued his education at Massachusetts Bay Community College and Framingham State at night.
He spent over 50 years working at the Harvard Cooperative Society, advancing from a 16-year-old salesperson to Operations Manager for all six bookstores, including the main Harvard Square location.
While working at the “Coop,” he met his future wife, Betsy, and formed a group of many lifelong friends. Upon retirement in 2014, Paul and Betsy moved to Plymouth to live year-round at Priscilla Beach, where he served on its board for the local Association.
Family and friends remember him as Paul was meticulous in his detailed record keeping, making Excel spreadsheets for everything. He was also known for always having a list of projects, his love of local sports, woodworking and reading.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth (Haskell); children Christopher and Jennifer; daughter-in-law Trina (Hellgren) Champagne; and two grandchildren Grace and Matthew Champagne, who always called him “Pere”.
He is also survived by his sister-in-law Diane (Haskell) Wilbur, and brother-in-law, Richard Wilbur, and their children Jonathan, (wife Heather), Anthony (wife Brandy) and Sarah (husband David). He was a former brother-in-law to Frances and her children Paul, Robert and Lisa.
Visitation was Monday, June 29 at the Cartmell-Davis Funeral Home, 619 State Road, Plymouth, followed by a memorial service, and burial at the Manomet Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, where he received cancer treatment for more than 2 years.