1939 – 2015

LEWISTON — Raoul (Ralph) Alphonse Champagne passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Central Maine Medical Center after a brief illness.

He was born in Lewiston on Oct 23, 1939, son of Romeo and Violette Champagne. He attended Lewiston schools. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and married Pauline St. Hilaire in 1961. Ralph worked for 32 years at Bath Iron Works as a painter.

In 1989, he remarried to Phyllis Robinson of Tenants Harbor, where he moved and continued to reside until his passing. After retiring from BIW, he continued to keep himself busy, mowing lawns during the summer and plowing snow in the winter. As an active member in the community, he was involved with several local organizations. He enjoyed bird watching, carpentry, watching football games — in particular, the Miami Dolphins — and spending time with his family and pets.

He leaves behind his wife of 26 years, Phyllis; his brother, Roger Champagne and his wife, Anne; sister, Marie Smith; children, Sonia Long and husband, George, Marcel Champagne and wife, Laurie, Steven Champagne and Heidi Champagne; stepdaughters, Stephanie Stimpson and husband, Steve, Patty Ryan, and Mary Labady and husband, Louis; stepson, Eddie Rogers; and also several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.