LEWISTON – Joseph C. Champagne, 84, of Lisbon died Thursday morning, Jan. 5, at Central Maine Medical Center with his family by his side.

He was born in Augusta, Dec. 17, 1921, the son of Adolphe and Marie-Anna Lapointe Champagne. He was educated in Augusta schools having attended St. Augustine’s. He also served two years in the Civilian Conservation Corps.

On June 29, 1946, he married the former Theresa Cote of Lisbon at St. Anne’s Church. Together they made their home, which he built in Lisbon.

He served his country well having served in the United States Marine Corps. during World War II. He was a member of the First Marine Division. He served in Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Cape Gloucester New Britain and Peleliu. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

He was employed for 23 years at the Farnsworth Mill and later 15 years at the Lisbon School Department where he worked as a custodian and bus driver. He retired from the School Department in 1985.

He was a member of the former Ste. Anne’s Church in Lisbon where he was an usher, now Holy Trinity Church in Lisbon Falls. He was a member of the American Legion Coombs-Mountfort Post 158 and the Raymond J. Lavigne VFW Post 9459. He was an active 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2358 of Lisbon Falls being a past Grand Knight and Past Faithful Navigator.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed all sports having boxed and played baseball. He especially enjoyed attending hockey games, boxing events and baseball games with his son, grandsons and great-granddaughter.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his son and grandsons. He also enjoyed gardening.

He is survived by his wife of 591/2 years, Theresa, of Lisbon; one daughter, Doris R. and her husband, Robert Murch, of Chelsea; one son, Don R. Champagne and his companion, Lena Galipeau, of Wales; five grandchildren, Steve and his wife, Kristin Murch, of Turner, Jeff and his wife, Mirelli Murch, of Freedom, Tom Schaeffer, of Brunswick, Wendy Champagne and her fianc, Andrew Conklin, of Brownville, Jack Champagne, of Wales; one step-grandson, Christopher Galipeau of Wales (currently serving in Iraq); two great-granddaughters, Kassie and Cara Murch, of Turner; three sisters, Jeannette and her husband, Fern Doyon, of Lewiston, Therese Cote, of Augusta, and Lorraine Hopkins, of Augusta; two brothers, Rudolphe Champagne, of Augusta and George Champagne, of Midway, KY; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by one daughter and son, Marie and Danny Champagne; three brothers, Norman, Bert and Robert Champagne; three sisters, Florence Doyon, Loretta Assid, and Constance Marson.