Robert H. Champagne Sr.
11/1929 -1/17/2021
Robert (Bob) H. Champagne, Sr., 91, of Milford, N.H., passed peacefully in the care of the Community Hospice House, Merrimack, N.H., from natural age-related causes.
Bob was born in Lowell, Mass., He was the son of Irene (Barsalow) Lemire and biological father Hector P. Champagne; he also considered his stepfather, Arthur Lemire, as a father. He resided in Lowell for 65 years and then relocated to Sun City Center, Fla., until 2016, before moving to Milford, N.H. to be close to his children for the remainder of his wonderful life, always helping others along the way.
Devoted, loving husband to Barbara (Davis) Champagne for 64 years until she passed in 2016.
Fantastic, dedicated and loving father to daughter Kathy and son, Robert (Bob) Jr.
Bob served in the USCG during the Korean War from 1947 to 1951. He worked as a missile inspector at Raytheon in South Lowell, Mass., where he retired from after 35+ years. He was a man of many talents, performing anything from home system repairs to complete home renovations, automotive mechanics and watch repairs. He could fix anything that was broken and had a solution for every problem due to his remarkable ingenuity and common sense. He worked two and occasionally three jobs for many years while his children were young so Barbara could be a homemaker and care for their children. He loved to play cards, was a member of two bridge clubs and was also a great cook!
Bob is survived by his children, Kathy Duchesne of Wilton, N.H.; and Robert Champagne Jr. of Greenville, N.H.; his sister, Doris Doyle, of Irvine, Calif.; brother, Arthur Lemire and wife Sally of Ojai, Calif.; sister-in-law, Joyce (Davis) Sheehan of Dover, N.H.; brother-in-law, Richard Davis and wife Martha of Fitzgerald, Ga.; many nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends.
He was predeceased by his loving wife, Barbara (Davis) Champagne; his sister, Rita Champagne; mother, Irene (Barsalow) Lemire; biological father, Hector P. Champagne; stepfather, Arthur Lemire; and nephew, Garrett Lemire.
Bob will be deeply missed by everyone.
The family will be honoring Bob’s wishes for no Wake or Funeral.
Memorial Masses for Bob have been scheduled monthly starting Jan. 31, for 24 months at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Milford, NH. Visit www.saintpatrickmilfordnh.org and click LiveStreaming button to attend virtually.
You may read and leave memorial comments at Smith & Heald’s Website, www.smith-heald.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be greatly appreciated by The Manchester NH Disabled Veterans; make check out to Disabled Veterans, and mail to Disabled Veterans, 251 Maple Street, Manchester, NH 03103. Put in memory of Bob Champagne on Memo line.
Vivian T. Elms
Vivian T. (McClintock) Elms, 101, passed away peacefully in her home in Sun City Center, Fla., on January 12, 2021. She was born in Salem, Mass., on February 5, 1919, to Arthur and Emma (Bouffard) Theriault and raised in Manchester, N.H. She worked in a number of insurance agencies as well as at the Chelsea Naval Hospital’s Blood Research Laboratory and was a Navy veteran of World War II.
She is survived by her children, Jane E. McDonald of Saugus, Mass., and Arthur W. McClintock and his wife Carol of Hanover, Mass.; her grandchildren: Amy Munroe and her husband Edward of Hanover, Mass.; Cliff McDonald and his wife Shanna of Madison; Wisc., and Matthew McClintock of Hanover, Mass.; as well as six great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many cousins. Vivian also leaves her dear friends Jeff Judson, Lindy Langlois and Janet Hough, all of Sun City Center.
She was predeceased by her husbands, Francis B. McClintock Jr. and Howard F. Elms; her son-in-law, C. Clifford McDonald; and her siblings: Martha Jenkins, Bertrand Theriault and Richard Theriault.
Graveside services will be held in Massachusetts at a later date. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Vivian’s memory may be made to LifePath Hospice, Chapters Health Foundation, 3010 W. Azeele Street – Suite #120, Tampa, FL 33609.
Vivian greatly enjoyed her life at Kings Point where she lived for many years and established numerous lasting friendships. In earlier years she volunteered at the library and enjoyed line dancing and the socializing that followed. Until very recently her activities included walking in the neighborhood, relaxing at the pool with friends and attending pot luck suppers. She was a loyal fan of the Patriots and the Red Sox and especially enjoyed the dozens of Patriots playoff and Super Bowl games.
Vivian’s family would like to thank everyone who helped to make her life so special and whose kindness and generosity permitted her to continue to live so independently. She adored these friends and neighbors.
Franklin Hughes
Franklin “Frank” Hughes, loving husband and father of three, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, at the age of 86. He was one of nine children born to the late William and Iva (Harrod) Hughes in Frankfort, Ky. He served in the United States Air Force and then attended the University of Kentucky where he obtained a Bachelor of Accounting. He was a certified public accountant and business entrepreneur in Portsmouth, Ohio. He married Nancy Louise McLin on April 16, 1960, and they had three children.
During retirement, Frank took up farming as a hobby in Somerset, Ky. Frank was an avid bridge player, stock trader and UK Basketball fan. Frank was known for his generous spirit and hardworking nature. He is survived by his children: Sandy Hughes Russell (Randy), Jo Ann Hughes Konenkamp (Mark), Frank Hughes Jr. (Kim) and seven grandchildren: Katherine Konenkamp, Matt Russell, Eric Russell (Hilary), Drew Konenkamp, Sarah Hughes, William Hughes and Joseph Hughes. He is also survived by his sister, Irene (Stewart), and brothers, Mason (Betty) Hughes and Jerry Hughes. Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Louise McLin Hughes, and his siblings: William Wade, James Wylie, twin sister Leona and Mary Charleston “Charlie.”
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a graveside funeral service will be held for immediate family at Arlington Cemetery in Atlanta, Ga. Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home, 813-634-9900.
Kenneth Johnson
Kenneth Emerson Johnson, 92, passed away Jan. 7, 2021, in Sun City Center, Florida.
A memorial service will be held privately.
Ken was born on Aug. 1, 1928, in Flint, Mich., to parents, Naomi (Westwick) and Edwin Johnson.
He attended Central High School in Flint and graduated from the General Motors Tool and Die apprentice school. He worked as a tool and die maker and union representative at Chevrolet, taking a break to serve as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He also worked as a foreman before retiring from Chevrolet in 1980, after 36 years of service.
He married Ruth Ruppel in 1956. The couple had two daughters, Sally York of Flushing and Susan (Kenneth) Smithson of Fort Myers, Florida, and a grandson, Kenny Paul Smithson.
Ken pursued a second career in photography, winning an award from Kodak. He had a passion for golf, airplanes and hunting. He and Ruth purchased a winter home in Sun City Center and, eventually, moved there full time.
Ken was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Rodney Pierpoint.
William McDonald
William “Bill” McDonald, age 83, of Sun City Center, Fla., passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 7, 2021.
He was a decorated Navy corpsman, a Vietnam veteran (saving many lives during his tour) and retired as a Chief Petty Officer after 22 years of service. After his service to our country, he attended University of South Florida, obtaining a degree in Fine Arts.
Bill is survived by his son, Jay McDonald and his wife Tammy of Arlington, Texas; his daughter, Debbi Figlewski and her husband John of Valrico, Fla.
Bill was lovingly known as “Pop Pop” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by three grandchildren: He is also survived by two great-grandchildren and two step-greatgrandsons.
Bill had many passions – he loved art and won many awards for both his art and photography. He loved music and he loved to dance. In his earlier years, his love of the outdoors was evident in his passion for camping, hiking and fishing. He loved to garden and work in his yard and spent some time volunteering for the DAV in Sun City, scheduling drivers.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored to have donations made to LifePath Hospice, Sun City Center, or My Warrior’s Place, Ruskin, in honor of him.
A celebration of life will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery on a date to be determined later.
Michael Shannon
Michael Shannon, 82, passed away on Jan. 22, 2021, at LifePath Hospice House.
In addition to his loving wife of 64 years, Retha, he is survived by his son Brian (Jayma); son Bradley (Cindy); grandchildren: Michelle, Casey, Kevin, Ryan and Brandon; great-grandchild Elliott; and sisters: Lorraine, Alice and Janet. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Linda and Pam.
Mike was born in Baileysville, W. Va., and moved to Anderson, Ind., in 1956, where he worked for General Motors as a manufacturing process engineer for 35 years, and for Red Spot Paint & Varnish in Evansville, Ind. for seven years, before retiring to Sun City Center, Fla. He enjoyed playing golf and was frequently tinkering with anything mechanical or electrical. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him.
There will be no service; however, a gathering of family and friends will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home, 813-634-9900.
