SARANAC — Gary S. Champagne, 62, of Saranac, N.Y., passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2012, after a brief battle with cancer, surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born Jan. 14, 1950, son of Ramona (Ducatte) Gabriel and predeceased by his father, William Champagne Jr.
His survivors include his loving wife, Helen (Kellas) Champagne; his sons, Shane & fianc^e Lauren, Cody and Joseph; and grandson, Caleb, all from Saranac, N.Y.; his brother, Bruce and his wife Pamela Champagne of Plattsburgh; sisters, Brenda and her husband Phil Lavigne of Peru, Sandra Champagne and companion Jeffery Thomas of Encino, Calif.; and also many nieces and nephews.
Gary graduated in 1969 from Beekmantown Central School where he was an outstanding athlete in wrestling and football, after college he went on to Whitehall Corrections Facility as a Correction Officer.
In more recent years he owned and operated a deer farm on Route 3 in Saranac, N.Y.
Service details are incomplete, notifications of church service and reception will follow at a later date in the Press Republican.
In leiu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to The Melissa Lahtinen-Penfield Fund, c/o The Foundation, 75 Beekman St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru. To light an online candle and offer condolences in the memory of Gary Champagne please visit www.hami1tonfuneralhome.com
