CHICOPEE ~ Bernard O. “Bernie” Champagne, 86, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, March 6, 2019. He passed into Eternal Life at Holyoke Medical Center surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born at home in Chicopee on December 18, 1932, a beloved son of the late Wilfred and Albertine (Malenfant) Champagne. He was raised in Chicopee, attended local schools and was a lifelong resident of Chicopee. He served his country during the Korean War in the United States Army and attained the rank of Private First Class. He was employed as a heavy equipment operator for the Chicopee Department of Public Works. Previously, he was employed at the former Galaska Furniture and the Acme Chain Company, which later was US Tsubaki, all in Holyoke. An avid golfer, Bernie enjoyed meeting his golf buddies at the Chicopee Country Club. He loved to eat and visited many local restaurants. Bernie was a self-taught fiddle player. He and his wife, Louise, started their own band, “Champagne Country”, and were sought out and played at many different venues. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee. He leaves his beloved wife and soul mate, Louise J. (Cote) Champagne. They were married on September 1, 1958 at the former Precious Blood Church in Holyoke and were blessed with over 60 years of happiness together. He also leaves his loving daughter, Rachel C. Dupuis and her husband, Brian, of Chicopee; his four cherished grandchildren who will deeply miss their Pépère, Nathaniel B. Dupuis and his wife, Amy, of Douglas, MA, Amanda L. Mucha and her husband, Brian, of Belchertown, Rebecca A. Dupuis and her fiancé, Timothy Pereira, of Westfield and Katelyn M. Dupuis and her fiancé, Scott Henderson, of West Springfield; his four cherished great-grandchildren, Samuel and Annabeth Dupuis and Lucille and Keith Mucha; his dear brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Robert Cote and his wife, Gail, of South Hadley, Gerry Cote and his wife, Wanda, Julie Malo and her husband, Edward, and Margaret Cote, all of Chicopee; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Champagne and Cote families. His funeral will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 10 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 Noon at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Committal Service with United States Army Military Honors will follow the Mass at 2 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
