Hector J. Champagne, Jr., 71

SALISBURY -- Hector J. Champagne Jr., 71, of 38 North End Blvd., formerly of Webster, died Tuesday, May 13, in Anna Jacques Hospital, Newburyport, after being stricken ill.

He leaves his wife of 31 years, Sylvia J. (Jablonski) Champagne; a son, Hector J. Champagne III of Fall River; three daughters, Margaret L. Spence of Archer, Fla., Marie Charbonneau of Worcester and Marcelle Champagne of Auburn; his mother, Margaret A. (Depta) Champagne of Southbridge; eight grandchildren; nephews and nieces. A brother, Victor K. Champagne Sr., died in 1991. He was born and raised in Webster, son of the late Hector J. Champagne Sr., and moved to Salisbury in 1993. He graduated from St. Louis High School and took criminal law courses at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester. He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean War.

Mr. Champagne was a sergeant on the Webster Police Force for 21 years. During that time, he was one of the original organizers of the Webster Police Auxiliary. He then worked in the machine shop at David Gessner Co. in Worcester for 10 years. He was also a manager at the Nurse Aide Training Center, and worked at the Washburn House Nursing Home, both in Worcester. He worked in the maintenance department at Wal-Mart in Seabrook, N.H., and in the security department at Seabrook Greyhound Racing Park in Seabrook until the beginning of this year. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Newburyport and the Church of the Reconciliation in Webster. He was a member of the Webster Lodge of Elks 1466, the North Grosvenordale American Legion Post 67 and the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association. He was Scoutmaster of Boy Scouts Troop 133 in Webster for 10 years. He enjoyed deep-sea fishing.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, in the Church of the Reconciliation, 5 North Main St., Webster. Cremation will be in Rural Crematory. Calling hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 16, in Scanlon Funeral Service, East Main Street, Webster.